PHILADELPHIA — Maalik Wayns scored 19 points, including the go-ahead layup with 1:09 left, and 12th-ranked Villanova overcame a late eight-point deficit Sunday to beat La Salle 84-81.
The Explorers (6-4) had two chances to tie in the final seconds, but Maurice Sutton blocked Sam Mills’ 3-point attempt with four seconds left before Mills’ final attempt from 33 feet bounced off the rim as the Wildcats (8-1) won their ninth consecutive game against La Salle.
“Villanova is the gold standard of the Big 5 right now, and you only play them once a year,” Explorers coach John Giannini said. “We don’t get them again. It’s a one-time shot against the 12th-ranked team in the country and, frankly, I feel like we blew it.”
No. 2 Ohio State 85, Western Carolina 60
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Buckeyes (8-0) broke free from an early tie with an 11-0 run and led by as many as 35 points before substituting freely against the mistake-prone Catamounts (4-8).
No. 9 Georgetown 89, Appalachian State 60
WASHINGTON — The Hoyas (9-1) opened the second half with a 19-6 run, stretching a nine- point halftime lead to 60-38 on a running two- handed slam by Nate Lubick with 10:45 left.
Women
No. 3 Stanford 77, Fresno State 40
STANFORD, Calif. — The Cardinal (6-0) outscored the Bulldogs (7-3) by 29 points over the final 15:20 of the first half to take a 42-17 lead.
No. 5 Duke 73, Oklahoma State 45
STILLWATER, Okla. — The Blue Devils (11-0) forced 17 first-half turnovers and built a 29- point halftime lead against the Cowgirls (8-1).
No. 8 Tennessee 92, No. 21 Texas 77
AUSTIN, Texas — Angie Bjorklund provided the early punch with four 3-pointers in the first half, then Meighan Simmons took over in the second as the Lady Vols (9-1) sent the Longhorns (5-3) to their third consecutive loss.
No. 13 Oklahoma 63, New Mexico 60
NORMAN, Okla. — Morgan Hook made a go-ahead layup with 5.2 seconds left and added two free throws three seconds later after Danielle Robinson forced a turnover as the Sooners (9-1) survived despite shooting a season-low 37.2 percent from the field.
Marquette 63, No. 23 Wis.-Green Bay 60
MILWAUKEE — The Phoenix (9-1) got to within two on Sarah Eichler’s basket with 14.1 seconds to go, but Sarina Simmons sank 1-of-2 free throws for the final margin.
The Associated Press
