regional basketball Saturday’s games

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HORIZON

Cleveland State 69, Akron 66

CLEVELAND

Jeremy Montgomery made a 3-pointer with 22 seconds left to lift Cleveland State. Cleveland State seemed to have control of the contest, leading by as many as 12 points in the second half. But the Vikings (10-1) ended up losing their lead and trailed by two points with 1:48 left after Akron’s Demetrius Treadwell made a free throw. Despite Akron’s rally, Cleveland State would not allow the Zips (3-5) to score any more.

Ball State 58, Butler 55

MUNCIE, IND.

Jarrod Jones scored 21 points, including a jumper with 48 seconds left that turned out to be the game-winner for Ball State. Jones added eight rebounds for the Cardinals (6-2).

Wright State 51, Miami (Ohio) 49

OXFORD

Cole Darling scored a team-high 13 points as Wright State edged Miami. The Raiders (4-6) led 50-45 before Jon Harris hit a late 3-pointer for Miami (2-5). With 0:02 left, Julian Mavunga made a foul shot but missed the second and Wright State held on.

Loyola of Chicago 57, Toledo 55

TOLEDO

Ben Averkamp scored a career-high 31 points and hit the game-winning 15-footer at the buzzer to lift Loyola. The Ramblers (2-7) ended a three-game skid while the Rockets (6-3) have lost two straight games.

Ill.-Chicago 62, No. Illinois 55

CHICAGO

Marc Brown scored 15 points Saturday to lead Illinois-Chicago. Daniel Barnes added 12 points and Gary Talton 11 for the Flames (3-5), whose three-game losing streak ended.

BIG TEN

Indiana 73, No. 1 Kentucky 72

BLOOMINGTON, IND.

Indiana finally has the horses to beat top-ranked Kentucky. Christian Watford’s buzzer-beating 3-pointer from the left wing stood up to a replay review, giving the Hoosiers a stunning upset. The lead changed hands five times in the final 121 seconds before Watford’s big shot set off a wild scene, with Indiana fans storming the court and crowding around players. Hoosiers coach Tom Cream and the officials stood side-by-side, pressed up against the scorer’s table to look at the replay. When the officials counted the basket, Cream pumped his fist and four players wound up standing on top of the scorer’s table as fans partied on the court and the pep band continued to play its songs. Watford finished with 20 points in Indiana’s first upset of a top-ranked team since taking down Duke in the 2002 NCAA tournament.

Minnesota 69, St. Peter’s 47

MINNEAPOLIS

Ralph Sampson III scored a season-high 15 points and grabbed eight rebounds in his return to the starting lineup, leading Minnesota to its fourth straight win.

No. 14 Wisconsin 62, UNLV 51

MADISON, WIS.

Ben Brust came off the bench and hit all seven of his 3-points shots, scoring a career-high 25 points for Wisconsin (8-2), which went on a 13-0 run midway through the first half to take a 31-15 lead. The Badgers pushed their advantage to 19 in the first half before the Rebels (9-2) were able to cut it to 36-23 at half.

Purdue 61, Eastern Michigan 36

WEST LAFAYETTE, IND.

Robbie Hummel had 13 points and eight rebounds to help Purdue. Terone Johnson scored nine points, Ryne Smith had eight points and five rebounds and Anthony Johnson scored all seven of his points in the second half for Purdue (9-2).

Duquesne 66, Penn State 59

PITTSBURGH

Eric Evans scored 20 points to lead Duquesne. The Dukes (6-4) finally began to distance themselves from the Nittany Lions (6-5) with a 9-0 run early in the second half.

MAC

Kent State 58, Western Carolina 56

CULLOWHEE, N.C.

Michael Porrini scored five of his 11 points in the last 1:38 to help Kent State. Kent State (7-1) trailed 55-51 with 2:36 to go before the Golden Flashes scored seven straight. Porrini had a three-point play with 1:36 left and, after Porrini missed a layup, Justin Greene came up with the offensive rebound and scored with 53 seconds left to give Kent State a 56-55 lead. Porrini then made two free throws to put the Golden Flashes up 58-55 with 12 seconds left.

Tennessee State 65, Central Michigan 57

NASHVILLE, TENN.

Robert Covington scored 19 points and Tennessee State rallied from a 13-point deficit. The Tigers (4-6) trailed 24-11 with 4:47 to go until halftime.

Associated Press