Top 25 roundup \ Thursday’s game

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No. 2 Connecticut 68, Buffalo 64

AMHERST, N.Y. — Hasheem Thabeet had 21 points and 18 rebounds, Jeff Adrien added 18 points, and Connecticut survived a big scare. The Bulls (3-3) nearly upset then-No. 2 Pittsburgh at Alumni Arena two years ago, losing 70-67 after leading by 10 points with 14 minutes left. A repeat performance seemed unlikely against the Huskies (8-0), who won their first seven games by an average of 24 points. But Rodney Pierce had other ideas, scoring a career-high 28 points to keep Buffalo close the entire game. Pierce had a chance to force overtime in the final seconds with the Bulls trailing 66-64, but Max Boudreau bobbled his pass in the lane with 4 seconds left and Kemba Walker made two free throws for the Huskies.

No. 6 Oklahoma 73, Southern Cal 72

NORMAN, Okla. — Blake Griffin scored 11 of his 25 points after getting hit with a cheap shot elbow in the second half, and Oklahoma staved off a rally by Southern California. Griffin, a preseason All-America forward, had to come out of the game briefly after getting elbowed below the waist by USC’s Leonard Washington with 13:54 left. He was able to return and help the Sooners (7-0) keep the Trojans at bay. Southern Cal (5-3) trailed by 11 early in the second half and got within one point three times, but Oklahoma had an answer every time. Austin Johnson had 17 points and Griffin’s older brother, Taylor, scored 10 for the Sooners, who committed a season-low eight turnovers. Dwight Lewis led Southern California with 25 points, Taj Gibson had 12 points and 10 rebounds and DeMar DeRozan scored 10 points. DeRozan had a final chance at a game-winner, but his desperation heave from beyond halfcourt sailed wide right at the buzzer. Wayman Tisdale, Oklahoma’s all-time leading scorer, got a standing ovation at halftime in his first return to the Lloyd Noble Center since having part of his right leg amputated because of cancer. Even Golden State Warriors executive vice president Chris Mullin, who was seated on press row, stood to cheer.

No. 17 Villanova 93, Houston Baptist 57

VILLANOVA, Pa. — Scottie Reynolds scored a season-high 23 points and had six assists and Villanova stayed unbeaten. The Wildcats (8-0) continued their season full of romps and this one was over not long after the opening tip. They have yet to play a truly competitive game and won by 20-plus points for the fourth time this season. No game has been won by less than 13 points. Villanova said the schedule was short a game and severely overmatched Houston Baptist (0-7) was available to fill the gap. Corey Stokes scored a career-high 22 points and Dante Cunningham had 13 for Villanova. Baron Sauls made all six 3-pointers and had 22 points for the Huskies, and Andrew Puzyk scored 17 points.

WOMEN

No. 8 Maryland 70, No. 17 Purdue 59

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Kristi Toliver scored 22 of her 24 points in the second half, helping Maryland beat Purdue in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Toliver, who shot 0-for-5 from the field in the first half, went 5-for-10 in the second and made all 10 of her free throws after the break. Marah Strickland and Marissa Coleman each scored 16 points for the Terrapins (7-1), who have won seven straight. Lindsay Wisdom-Hylton led Purdue with 20 points, nine rebounds, four steals and three blocks. Lakisha Freeman scored 15 points and Danielle Campbell added 11 for the Boilermakers (5-2). Purdue made six of seven shots to start the second half and took a 40-35 lead.

No. 12 Duke 71, Iowa 47

DURHAM, N.C. — Chante Black scored 18 points and Duke beat Iowa in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Joy Cheek added 13 points for the Blue Devils (5-1), who missed their first 14 shots but used a 9-0 run toward the end of the first half and a long 3-pointer by Abby Waner to take a 28-14 halftime lead that grew to more than 30 points in the second half.

No. 13 Louisville 67, Middle Tennessee 44

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (AP) — Angel McCoughtry had a game-high 24 points and 13 rebounds, leading Louisville over Middle Tennessee.

Associated Press