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College basketball
Badgers nip Spartans
Associated Press
Published January 17, 2005
MADISON, Wis. - Recent seasons have demonstrated no questions about Wisconsin's will and resiliency. But those who have wondered if No.15 Michigan State held the same characteristics had their doubts renewed Sunday.
The Spartans frittered away an eight-point lead in the last two minutes and allowed Wisconsin to escape with a 62-59 victory that pushed the Badgers' national-best home winning streak to 38 games. Next up to try to end the streak: top-ranked Illinois on Jan.25.
"We never panicked," forward Mike Wilkinson said. "We basically knew what we needed to do on both ends of the floor, and we did it."
Michigan State outrebounded the Badgers and held them to 38.2 percent shooting. The Spartans committed only 10 turnovers, dominated the paint and never allowed a fastbreak basket. And when Paul Davis dropped a jumper from the right wing with 2:49 to go, the Spartans' lead was 59-51.
Kam Taylor drove the lane with 32.3 seconds left to give the Badgers their first lead of the second half at 60-59. Michigan State had a chance to take it back, but Alan Anderson missed a 6-footer over Zach Morley. Even after Morley made two free throws, the Spartans still had a chance to force overtime. But Shannon Brown put up a 3-pointer from the left corner that rattled in and out.
NO.13 BC 73, W.VA. 53: Jared Dudley scored 21 and Craig Smith added 20 in the Eagles' eighth straight road win. Jermaine Watson added 13 points off the bench for Boston College, which remains one of four unbeaten Division I teams.
NO. 20 PITTSBURGH: Guard Yuri Demetris was suspended indefinitely for disciplinary reasons.
Georgia Tech upset
RALEIGH, N.C. - Desperate for a basket, and more desperate for a win, the Wolfpack got both from Ilian Evtimov. He led a balanced attack with 17 points, including a clutch 3-pointer, as North Carolina State beat No. 8 Georgia Tech 76-68 to snap a four-game losing streak.
Five players scored in double figures for N.C. State, which hadn't won since narrowly getting by Columbia last month.
"We looked pretty desperate to me," said Julius Hodge, who had 14 points. "We just went out and gave it our all. We got the win and I love to win, so I don't even want to talk about the past now."
The Yellow Jackets scored 12 straight to get to 64-61. N.C. State patiently ran its Princeton-style offense until Evtimov got an open look from beyond the arc.
"I just did what I'm supposed to do," he said. "The pass came on time, on target, and I just have to make it."
His jumper increased the margin to six with 2:14 left, and the Wolfpack hung on.
NO.5 DUKE 80, VIRGINIA 66: J.J. Redick scored 20 of his 28 in the second half to lead the host Blue Devils. Shelden Williams added 16, 11 rebounds and nine blocks.
C-USA
MEMPHIS: Sophomore forward Sean Banks, who started 10 games and was averaging 14.5 points and 5.8 rebounds, was declared academically ineligible and will sit the rest of the season.
State
UCF 87, TROY 76: Kingsley Edwards had 10 points, 10 rebounds and 14 assists and host Central Florida used a 10-0 second-half run to pull away. Gary Johnson had 19 points, Troy Lindbeck 18 and Anthony Williams 17 and 10 rebounds. The Golden Knights outrebounded Troy 44-18.
[Last modified January 17, 2005, 01:06:09]
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