CBKB: Jimmer leads BYU past Aztecs

SAN DIEGO - Jimmer Fredette scored 25 points and Charles Abouo added 18 as BYU spoiled the biggest game in San Diego State's history and took a one-game lead in the Mountain West Conference. The Cougars won 80-67.

The Cougars (27-2, 13-1) swept the season series against the Aztecs (27-2, 12-2). The second loss came in one of the most eagerly anticipated games in this city's history. It was SDSU's first loss in 14 games this season at Viejas Arena. BYU also swept both games last season.

The Aztecs couldn't stop Fredette even by rotating three players on him defensively. Fredette not only led four Cougars in double figures, but had nine assists.

Fredette, who scored 43 points in BYU's 71-58 win over the Aztecs last month, helped the Cougars take control after SDSU pulled to 47-44 on James Rahon's 3-pointer with just over 13 minutes to play. Fredette made a 3-pointer and converted two three-point plays, and Jackson Emery made two 3-pointers as BYU took its biggest lead, 67-54, with 8:15 left.

Noah Hartsock had 15 points for BYU and Emery added 13.

BYU made 14 of 24 3-point shots, including four each by Fredette and Abouo. SDSU only made six of 17 from behind the arc.

Kawhi Leonard had 17 points and 13 rebounds for his 20th double-double this season.

Virginia Tech 64, No. 1 DUKE 60

BLACKSBURG, Va. - Terrell Bell scored 12 points, including five straight to give Virginia Tech the lead for good, and the Hokies beat No. 1 Duke 64-60 on Saturday night.

The Hokies (19-8, 9-5 Atlantic Coast Conference), badly in need of a signature victory to enhance their NCAA tournament credentials, got it thanks to 12-4 run over a span of 4 1/2 minutes that turned a 53-47 deficit into a 62-57 lead with 2 minutes remaining.

The Blue Devils (26-3, 12-2) had chances in the closing minute to pull even when Virginia Tech struggled at the free throw line, but couldn't capitalize. Duke had its seven-game winning streak snapped and allowed the Hokies to get a badly boost to their NCAA hopes.

Kyle Singler led Duke with 22 points and Nolan Smith had 18.

No. 3 Kansas 82, Oklahoma 70

NORMAN, Okla. - Marcus Morris scored 23 points and grabbed nine rebounds, twin brother Markieff added 19 points and 10 boards and No. 3 Kansas moved into a tie for first place in the Big 12 by beating slumping Oklahoma.

The Jayhawks (27-2, 12-2) shot 57 percent, making more than half of their shots from the field for the 21st time this season, and notched their seventh straight win in the series.

Colorado 91, No. 5 Texas 89

BOULDER, Colo. - Alec Burks scored 33 points and Levi Knutson added 21 as Colorado overcame a 22-point first-half deficit for the upset.

Colorado (18-11, 7-7 Big 12) was down 48-33 at halftime, but the Longhorns (24-5, 13-2) suddenly were affected by the altitude and the Buffaloes' push-the-pace style that led to first-year coach Tad Boyle's biggest win in Boulder.

Because of issues at the free throw line - where Burks, an 84 percent shooter, missed eight shots - the Buffs had to sweat out the final minute.

No. 9 Notre Dame 60,

Seton Hall 48

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Tim Abromaitis scored 22 points and Ben Hansbrough had 21 to help the Irish remain in position for a double-bye for the Big East tournament.

After trailing by 11 points in the first half, Notre Dame (23-5, 12-4) came back quickly in the second half. Carleton Scott's 15-footer with 17:30 remaining gave the Irish a 31-30 edge. It was part of a 13-0 run that gave Notre Dame a 37-30 edge.

Jeff Robiinson had 16 points and Jeremy Hazell added 14 for Seton Hall (11-17, 5-11).

UCLA 71, No. 10 Arizona 49

LOS ANGELES - Reeves Nelson had a career-high 27 points and 16 rebounds, and UCLA moved into a tie with Arizona for first place in the Pac-10 in the last men's game played at historic Pauley Pavilion before it closes for renovation.

Joshua Smith added 17 points and Tyler Honeycutt had 15 for the Bruins (21-8), who share the league's top spot at 12-4 with two games remaining. They have won 12 of 14.

No. 17 Syracuse 58,

No. 11 Georgetown 51

WASHINGTON - Scoop Jardine had 17 points and seven assists to lead Syracuse.

The Orange (24-6, 11-6) won their fourth consecutive game by pulling away down the stretch after the teams were tied at 45 with 7 minutes left.

Austin Freeman scored 16 points for the Hoyas (21-8, 10-7), who were playing their first game since point guard Chris Wright hurt his non-shooting hand and underwent surgery.

No. 22 Kentucky 76,

No. 13 Florida 68

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Darius Miller scored a career-high 24 points and Brandon Knight added 16 points and six assists for Kentucky.

The Wildcats (20-8, 8-6 Southeastern Conference) won their 33rd straight home game and gave coach John Calipari his 500th career victory.

Kenny Boynton led Florida (22-6, 11-3) with 21 points and Chandler Parsons added 15 points and eight rebounds.

No. 23 St. John's 81,

No. 15 Villanova 68

PHILADELPHIA - Dwight Hardy scored a career-high 34 points and St. John's showed it doesn't need to be at Madison Square Garden to beat a ranked team.

The Red Storm (19-9, 11-5 Big East) won their sixth straight game and beat their first Top 25 team away from the Garden. Led by first-year coach Steve Lavin, the Red Storm have knocked off six ranked opponents this season.

St. John's raced to a 14-point lead in the opening minutes, then held on down the stretch to hold off the struggling Wildcats (21-8, 9-7).

No. 18 Vanderbilt 90, LSU 69

BATON ROUGE, La. - Jeffery Taylor scored 20 points and Vanderbilt outscored LSU 49-26 in the second half.

John Jenkins overcame a slow start to finish with 17 points for Vanderbilt (21-7, 9-5 Southeastern Conference), which bounced back from its first loss in six games.

Kansas St. 80,

No. 20 Missouri 70

MANHATTAN, Kan. - Jacob Pullen scored 24 points and joined Mike Evans as the only players in Kansas State history to top the 2,000-point mark.

Curtis Kelly added 15 points and six rebounds for the resurgent Wildcats (20-9, 8-6), who have won six of seven and are battling Missouri (22-7, 8-6) for the fourth and final bye in the Big 12 tournament.

Baylor 58, No. 21 Texas A&M 51

WACO, Texas - LaceDarius Dunn and Perry Jones scored 16 points each as Baylor wrapped up a regular-season sweep of the Aggies.

Quincy Acy added 10 points for the Bears (18-10, 7-7 Big 12), who took a 76-74 overtime win in College Station on Feb. 5, the last loss before Texas A&M went on a five-game win streak.

Baylor led 41-32 with 10:29 left before Texas A&M went on a 7-0 run. Dunn then took over, hitting two 3-pointers, a pair of free throws after an intentional foul by David Lebeau, and two more foul shots for a 53-43 lead.

Khris Middleton had 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Aggies (22-6, 9-5). Loubeau scored 14.

No. 24 Temple 57,

George Washington 41

WASHINGTON - Lavoy Allen scored 19 points and had a season-high 16 rebounds for Temple, which overcame a horrific first 10 minutes.

After scoring just eight points in the opening 10 minutes, Temple (22-6, 12-2 Atlantic 10) finally took the lead for good when they held George Washington to just two points over the final 11:22.