Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
AUBURN, Ala. (AP) — Samir Doughty scored 23 points while making 14 of 15 free throws and No. 17 Auburn finished strong in a 75-66 win over 13th-ranked Kentucky in an NCAA Tournament rematch. Isaac Okoro made a key 3-pointer and scored 14 points for the Tigers, who dominated the final four minutes. It wasn't nearly as big as their 77-71 overtime victory over the Wildcats that vaulted Auburn to its first Final Four last season, but it moved the Tigers into a tie for second place in the SEC.
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Javonte Smart scored 13 of his season-high 21 points in the last 16 minutes, and No. 22 LSU increased its winning streak to 10 games with a 73-63 victory over struggling Mississippi. Marlon Tayor had 13 points and 11 rebounds and freshman Trendon Watford scored 13 points for LSU (17-4, 8-0 SEC), which is off to its best start in conference play in 39 years. Devontae Shuler scored a career-high 28 for Ole Miss (10-11, 1-7), which lost two straight and eight of its last nine.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Keyontae Johnson scored 20 points and Florida handed Vanderbilt its 26th consecutive Southeastern Conference loss, adding to the Commodores' dubious league record, beating them 61-55. Noah Locke added 17 points, including five 3-pointers, for the Gators. Vanderbilt struggled from 3-point range early, before hitting 6 of 22 from beyond the arc.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Mason Jones scored 30 points and Jimmy Whitt Jr. added 26 as Arkansas beat Alabama 82-78, ending Alabama’s eight-game home winning streak. Jones and Whitt carried the Arkansas offense throughout the game, combining for nearly 70% of the Razorbacks points. Arkansas entered the game first in the country in 3-point defense, allowing opponents to shoot 24.6% from behind the arc, and Alabama entered fourth in the country in 3-point field goals made, so something had to give. Alabama made its first two 3-point shots as part of 12-0 run to open the game, but then missed their next nine and finished 8 of 31 from deep overall (26%). Jaden Shackelford had five of those 3-pointers for Alabama and tied his career high with 28 points.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Alabama starter Herbert Jones has had surgery on his broken left wrist and is out indefinitely. Alabama said swingman had successful surgery Saturday at Andrews Sports Medicine/St. Vincent's Hospital and is expected to make a full recovery. He was injured in the first half against LSU Wednesday night. Crimson Tide coach Nate Oats announced Jones' status ahead of a game against Arkansas on Saturday. Oats says Jones “has been playing as well as he has all season, and this is certainly a tough blow" to the team.
ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — Freshman Anthony Edwards had 29 points and a career-high 15 rebounds for his second straight double-double to lead Georgia to a 63-48 win over Texas A&M. The Bulldogs snapped a four-game losing streak with only their second win of the season in Southeastern Conference games. Edwards, the top-scoring freshman in the nation, had eight points during a 15-6 run to open the second half, pushing the Bulldogs' lead to double figures for the first time. It was the Aggies' first loss in their last four SEC road games. Wendell Mitchell led Texas A&M with 13 points.
STARKVILLE, Miss. (AP) — Reggie Perry had 24 points with 12 rebounds and D.J. Stewart had a career-high 20 points to lead Mississippi State to an 86-73 victory over Tennessee. Perry's output marked the seventh time in the last 10 games he has scored at least 20 points. The sophomore forward also collected his 12th double-double of the season and 21st career double-double. Stewart was 6-of-9 shooting and made 4 of 5 shots from 3-point distance. Robert Woodard added 14 points for Mississippi State, which has won five straight conference games. Uros Plavsic and Santiago Vescovi each had 16 points for Tennessee, which has dropped three straight games.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Maik Kotsar scored a season-high 21 points and added 11 rebounds as South Carolina defeated Missouri 76-54 on Saturday. Kotsar is a 6-foot-10 senior who made his first seven shots and added four blocks for the Gamecocks. It was his second double-double this season and the fourth of his career. South Carolina has won five of its past six Southeastern Conference games after starting league play with two losses. Jermaine Couisnard had 15 points and AJ Lawson 13 for the Gamecocks. Xavier Pinson had 12 points to lead Missouri, which has lost five of its past six.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
