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College basketball

Billikens halt Cardinals run

ST. LOUIS -- Downtrodden Saint Louis came up with a victory to hang its season on.

Marque Perry scored five of his 25 in the final 13 seconds and maneuvered inside for the winning layup with 3.2 seconds to go as the Billikens upset second-ranked Louisville 59-58 on Wednesday night.

"It's so big I can't really explain it," Perry said. "Coach told us if we're real close at the end, you never know what can happen."

The Billikens were coming off two road losses to middle-of-the-road Conference USA teams, making them unlikely to end the nation's longest winning streak. They entered last in the American Division and in danger of not even making the postseason tournament.

Louisville had won 17 in a row since a two-point loss to Purdue on Nov. 30 in the second game of the season.

"I would have been happy to beat Hazelwood Central (High School) tonight, because we really needed a win," coach Brad Soderberg said. "I'll go on record and say we outworked them."

It was Saint Louis' biggest win since a victory over top-ranked Cincinnati in the first round of the C-USA tournament in 2000. It did it despite shooting 34 percent, compensating by forcing 16 turnovers.

Coach Rick Pitino said the Cardinals' 14-for-20 showing at the free-throw line was the difference.

"They played a terrific game and stopped a streak we had a lot of fun with," Pitino said. "Now it's time to start a new streak."

Reece Gaines had a season-high 28 points, five rebounds and three assists for the Cardinals, who have been winning by an average of 19 points. They won 73-54 in the first meeting between the teams, Jan. 11 at Louisville.

Louisville, which is averaging 84 points, scored by far its fewest of the season and had no other players in double figures. Center Marvin Stone, averaging 13 points, was scoreless in 30 minutes.

NO. 7 PITT 82, W.VA. 46: Donatas Zavackas came out of a shooting slump with 15 points and the host Panthers finally won a blowout after a succession of close games.

Pittsburgh fell from No. 2 in the AP poll while dropping road games against Syracuse and Notre Dame, but it never was challenged by the smaller and less physical Mountaineers.

Pittsburgh's margin of victory was its largest in the 164-game rivalry, topping its 92-65 win last season in the final game in Fitzgerald Field House.

NO. 11 MARQUETTE 73, DePAUL 60: Steve Novak scored a career-high 17, including four straight 3-pointers during a decisive second-half stretch, as the visiting Golden Eagles won their 10th straight.

Novak finished with five 3-pointers, topping his career high by two. Chicago native Dwyane Wade added 17 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and three steals for Marquette.

NO. 12 CREIGHTON 70, SW MO. ST. 67 (OT): Brody Deren's inside basket gave the Bluejays the lead, then Michael Lindeman made two free throws with 2.3 seconds left as Creighton came back from a 15-point deficit to win its 14th straight home game.

The Bears' Tamarr Maclin hit an inside shot with four seconds left in regulation to tie it at 59. Tyler McKinney's long 3-point try hit the front of the rim at the buzzer, forcing overtime.

NO. 13 OKLA. ST. 77, NEBRASKA 70: Victor Williams scored 11 of his 25 during a key second-half run to lead the visiting Cowboys.

The Cornhuskers went ahead 50-47 on Brian Conklin's 3-pointer with nine minutes left. Oklahoma State then went on a 22-8 run, and Williams made consecutive baskets to give the Cowboys the lead for good with 8:09 left.

TEXAS A&M 73, NO. 21 MISSOURI 71: Bernard King scored a season-high 29 and Bradley Jackson scored the go-ahead basket with two seconds to play to lead the host Aggies to their first win over a ranked opponent since Jan. 23, 2001, when they defeated No. 24 Texas 80-74.

The Tigers' Travon Bryant hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key to tie the score at 71 with 23 seconds to play. Jackson then drove to the basket and lofted a short jumper over a crowd for the winner.

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