Games of the Day
1. Cal Poly 70, No. 11 UCLA 68
A day that began with news of Tyler Lamb deciding to transfer ended with a comeback that boggles the mind. With 12:21 remaining the Bruins led 51-33, and many (myself included) determined that to be the end for the Mustangs given their half-court style. But Joe Callero’s team didn’t quit and the Bruins took possessions off, and the end result is a stunning upset. Jordan Adams tied the game at 68 but for some reason Norman Powell gave the foul thinking UCLA was still behind. Kyle Odister’s free throws clinched a huge win for the Cal Poly program.
2. Illinois 63, Gardner-Webb 62
A post-Maui title hangover nearly did in the Fighting Illini, who won thanks to a Tyler Griffey three-pointer in the final seconds. Four Illinois players finished with 13 points, and Gardner-Webb’s Donta Harper led all players with 16 points. With the victory it’s probably safe to assume that John Groce’s club will make its debut in the national polls on Monday.
3. No. 25 San Diego State 66, USC 60
San Diego State jumped out to a 29-8 lead and looked as if they were going to run the Trojans out of their own arena. But the absence of Chase Tapley caught up with the Aztecs in the form of sloppy play and Kevin O’Neil’s team refused to quit, opening the second half on an 18-4 run to take a 41-39 lead. SDSU ultimately won the chippy affair thanks to Jamaal Franklin’s big shots late and 17 points from James Rahon.
Important Outcomes
1. California 78, Pacific 58
The Golden Bears didn’t know it at the time but their win over the Tigers in the title game of the DirecTV Classic saved the Pac-12 from going 0-2 against the Big West on Sunday. Justin Cobbs, who was named MVP of the tournament, tallied 20 points, seven rebounds and five assists and Allen Crabbe scored a game-high 24 points.
2. La Salle 77, Villanova 74 (OT)
The first Philadelphia Big 5 game of the season was won by the Explorers, who were led by guards Ramon Galloway (26 points) and Tyreek Duren (23). Mouphtaou Yarou (20 points) and JayVaughn Pinkston (19) led the Wildcats but freshman point guard Ryan Arcidiacono (1-of-7 FG) had a tough afternoon offensively. One more positive for Dr. John Giannini’s team: Steve Zack accounting for eight points and 14 rebounds.
3. Temple 80, Delaware 75
Jamelle Hagins and Devon Saddler combined to score 54 points for the Blue Hens but it was the Owls’ balance that carried the day. Four Temple players finished in double figures, with Scootie Randall and Khalif Wyatt scoring 18 apiece to lead the way. Delaware misses out on their third opportunity in less than a week to pick up a quality non-conference win.
Starred
1. G Xavier Munford (Rhode Island)
Munford shot just 11-of-24 from the field but without him bombing away (eight three-pointers) the Rams don’t pick up their first win of the season. Munford went for 33 to lead the Rams to a 78-72 double overtime win at Auburn.
2. G Ed Townsel (Arkansas State)
Townsel finished with 27 points (10-of-17 FG), seven steals and five rebounds in the Red Wolves’ 93-53 pasting of Lamar.
3. F Jamelle Hagins (Delaware)
29 points (11-of-17 FG) and 12 rebounds in the Blue Hens’ 80-75 loss at Temple.
Struggled
1. UTEP
Like some I believed than a favorable Conference USA slate and some solid returning players could make the Miners a factor in that mélange of teams picked to finish behind Memphis. But after their 73-49 loss to Vanderbilt in the 7th place game to go 0-3 at the Old Spice Classic? Not so much.
2. G Jamaal Franklin (San Diego State)
Franklin made some big plays late, make no mistake about it. But he also finished the night 4-of-15 from the field and turned the ball over five times. With Chase Tapley out of the lineup the reigning Mountain West Player of the Year has to be more efficient.
3. F Ryan Anderson and F Dennis Clifford (Boston College)
Anderson (4-of-14) and Clifford (1-of-4) both struggled for the Eagles, who lost 56-54 to Bryant. BC won each of the prior four meetings by at least 16 points.
Three Facts
1. McCollum makes history
Congratulations are in order for Lehigh guard C.J. McCollum, who became the Patriot League’s all-time leading scorer in the Mountain Hawks’ 91-77 win at Sacred Heart.
2. Louisville loses Dieng
Louisville released the news that fans did not want to hear on Sunday, announcing that center Gorgui Dieng broke the scaphoid bone in his left wrist. There’s no timetable just yet on how long the Cardinals will be without their starting pivot.
3. Zeigler runs afoul of the law
Pittsburgh junior guard Trey Zeigler has been a bit quiet on the floor in his first six games with the program after spending two years at Central Michigan. And Zeigler got into some trouble off of it, as the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported on Sunday night that he’s been charged with driving under the influence.
Other notable scores
1. No. 1 Indiana 101, Ball State 53
Things got out of hand in Bloomington, as the Hoosiers rolled in their final tune-up before hosting North Carolina in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge on Tuesday night.
2. No. 15 Michigan State 63, Louisiana-Lafayette 60
The Spartans are without injured freshman Gary Harris, and it certainly looked like they missed him in holding off the Ragin’ Cajuns. Keith Appling led the way with 19 points and five assists, and Michigan State won despite turning the ball over 20 times.
3. No. 6 Syracuse 87, Colgate 51
James Southerland scored 18 points off the bench and Michael Carter-Williams dished out 13 assists with just one turnover for Syracuse. Jim Boeheim is now just six wins away from 900 for his career.
Raphielle also writes for the NBE Basketball Report and can be followed on Twitter at @raphiellej.
