CINCINNATI — All the three players could do was sit and watch one of the worst moments in Xavier’s recent history.
Dominique Morrison scored 19 points Sunday, leading Oral Roberts to a 64-42 victory over previously unbeaten Xavier, which couldn’t do much with three of its starters sitting on the bench because of suspensions.
The eighth-ranked Musketeers (8-1) didn’t have point guard Tu Holloway, shooting guard Mark Lyons or freshman forward Dez Wells, who account for 40 percent of their points. The trio was suspended for a brawl eight days earlier against crosstown rival Cincinnati.
The players began paying the price Sunday — their first loss of the season.
“We just weren’t ourselves today on both offense and defense,” coach Chris Mack said.
The depleted lineup couldn’t get in sync or keep up with the experienced Golden Eagles (8-4), who start three seniors and two juniors.
No. 9 Connecticut 77, Holy Cross 40
HARTFORD, CONN. — Freshman Andre Drummond scored a season-high 24 points and grabbed eight rebounds as the Huskies extended their home winning streak to 40 games against nonconference opponents.
Alex Oriakhi added 15 points and Shabazz Napier had 13 assists for UConn (9-1), which is 117-4 under Jim Calhoun in home games against nonconference opponents from New England.
No. 10 Missouri 94, William & Mary 56
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Sixth-man Michael Dixon scored a career-high 30 points as the Tigers got off to their best start in two decades.
Missouri (11-0) jumped to a 19-0 lead over the hapless Tribe, who missed its first eight shots while committing five fouls and 10 turnovers and didn’t score until nearly 12 minutes into the game. William & Mary (2-9) made just five first-half baskets.
WOMEN
No. 3 Notre Dame 92, No. 8 Kentucky 83
SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Skylar Diggins made her only 3-pointer of the game and then forced a turnover as the Irish (10-1) used an 11-0 run to finish off Kentucky, handing the Wildcats (10-1) their first loss of the season.
No. 10 Texas A&M 71, Southern Cal 70
COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Sydney Carter made a 3-pointer with 10 seconds left as the Aggies (8-2) rallied for their 47th straight nonconference home win.
South Carolina 79, No. 18 North Carolina 48
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — La’Keisha Sutton scored 21 points, Markeshia Grant added 20 and the Gamecocks (9-2) held the Tar Heels (7-2) to their lowest point total in nearly two years.
North Carolina State 66, No. 20 Vanderbilt 59
RALEIGH, N.C. — Kody Burke scored a career-high 21 points to upset Vanderbilt.
