Akron falls to VCU; Miami (Ohio) knocks off Southeast Missouri

ASSOCIATED PRESS

RICHMOND, Va. — Larry Sanders scored 15 points and Brandon Rozzell added 13 as Virginia Commonwealth topped Akron 70-53 on Saturday.

The Rams (19-7) stretched their regular season non-conference home winning streak to 16 games, and are 14-1 this season at home. Akron (20-8) had its five-game win streak snapped, failing to match their season best six-game winning streak.

Steve McNees and Anthony Hitchens led the Zips with nine points each.

Miami (Ohio) 69, SE Missouri 53

OXFORD, Ohio — Antonio Ballard scored 12 points and three others reached double figures for Miami.

Julian Mavunga and Orlando Williams each scored 11 points, and Kenny Hayes added 10 for Miami (12-15), who snapped a two-game losing streak. Nick Winbush contributed with 13 rebounds.

Marland Smith scored 28 points, including six 3-pointers, to lead Southeast Missouri (7-21), which has lost six games in a row.

S. Illinois 89, W. Michigan 72

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Carlton Fay exploded for 38 points to lead Southern Illinois over Western Michigan.

Fay went 10-for-13 from the field, including 3-for-6 from 3-point range, and 15-for-17 from the free throw line, scoring the most by a Saluki since 1996.

David Kool led the Broncos (14-13) with 21 points but shot only 4-for-19.

Ball State 68, Tenn-Martin 52

MUNCIE, Ind. — Terrence Watson and Malik Perry scored 15 points each for Ball State.

Jarrod Jones had 13 points and eight rebounds for Ball State, and Randy Davis had 10 points and seven rebounds.

Marquis Weddle led Tennessee-Martin (4-23) with 15 points. Reuben Clayton added 11 points and Benzor Simmons 10 for the Skyhawks.

Buffalo 77, Saint Peter’s 75, OT

JERSEY CITY, N.J. — Sean Smiley hit a jumper at the buzzer as Buffalo won in overtime.

Rodney Pierce scored 22 points, Smiley added 14, and Calvin Betts had 13 points and 11 rebounds for the Bulls (16-8), who have won five games in a row. Titus Robinson also had 13 for the Bulls.

Nick Leon, who scored 25 points for the Peacocks (15-12), hit a 3-pointer with less than 1 second remaining to send the game into overtime tied at 63.