UConn holds off Spartans

Associated Press

LAHAINA, Hawaii

Kemba Walker scored 30 points and hit a key jumper with less than a minute left, helping Connecticut outlast No. 2 Michigan State 70-67 in a physical Maui Invitational semifinal on Tuesday.

Connecticut (4-0) made it interesting by missing five late free throws, but survived Draymond Green’s midcourt heave at the buzzer.

Walker hit a fallaway jumper with 52 seconds left and Alex Oriakhi dominated inside for 15 points and 17 rebounds.

Michigan State (3-1) had three chances to tie in the final 20 seconds, but Green missed two free throws, Korie Lucious threw a pass to no one and Green was just short on his desperation shot.

No. 10 Purdue 87, Austin Peay 65

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.

JaJuan Johnson had 21 points and 11 rebounds to help Purdue. E’Twaun Moore had 17 points, six rebounds and four steals, Ryne Smith scored 11 points and D.J. Byrd added 10 points, five rebounds and four assists for the Boilermakers (4-0).

Indiana 72, North Carolina Central 56

BLOOMINGTON, Ind.

Christian Watford scored 17 points and Jordan Hulls added 15 as Indiana is off to its first 5-0 start since 2002. Landon Clement had 17 points to pace the Eagles (1-3), who extended their road losing streak to 43. They haven’t won on the road since beating Coppin State on Jan. 30, 2008.