725 - Cal Poly at Cal State Fullerton
February 28 at Titan Gym in Fullerton, CA
espn3
A ton of great performances & storylines in this one:
* Khalil Ahmad and Kyle Allman, two of the top five scorers in Fullerton history, combined for 47 points in the Titans' 86-75 win.
* Fullerton attempted 49 (!) free throws, making 35 (71%).
* Donovan Fields, a diminutive, but excellent senior guard for Cal Poly, had a team-high 22 points. Fields is probably not an NBA prospect, but he might get a un-drafted free agent look & at worst looks to be ready to play professionally somewhere.
But the best moment of the night came with about 25 seconds to play. Fullerton team manager Sammy Jones was cleared by the NCAA to dress for tonight's game and with 11 seconds left, Jones drove the lane and made a runner, was fouled and completed a three-point play for the hosts' final points of the night. Naturally, his teammates and the crowd went nuts, and during Cal Poly's ensuing free throw trip, a "Sammy" chant began in the arena.
Great moment.
724 - Arkansas State at Georgia State
February 28 at GSU Sports Arena in Atlanta, GA
ESPN +
GSU is one of the top three-point shooting teams in the country and showed it Thursday.
The Panthers hit 14 with Jeff Thomas's five in eight attempts, and Devin Mitchell's four leading the way for the hosts in a 76-60 victory.
Ty Cockfield came into the night second in the Sun Belt in scoring and while he led the way for Arkansas State with a game-high 20 points on 7-of-12 shooting, none of his teammates reached double figures and shot a combined 14-of-46 (30%).
That's win No. 20 (& an 11-5 record in Sun Belt play) for the Panthers, giving the program at least 20 victories in three consecutive seasons for the first time ever.
It's pretty amazing what coach Ron Hunter has done for the men's basketball program. Hunter, 167-94 in 7 + seasons at the Atlanta school, has now won 20 in six of those eight seasons. In 38 previous seasons, 10 different coaches reached 20 just three times (2000-01, 2001-02, 2003-04).
Game 723 - Richmond at George Mason
February 27 at Eaglebank Arena in Fairfax, VA
ESPN +
FAIRFAX, Va. - Jamal Hartwell and his George Mason teammates were nearly unstoppable from behind the arc in the second half Wednesday.
The Patriots were 8-of-12 from three over the final 20 minutes with Hartwell knocking down three in a 77-63 victory in Atlantic 10 play.
George Mason (16-12, 10-5) trailed by a point when Richmond's Jacob Gilyard hit a jumper with just over 16 minutes left. But George Mason's first five field goals in the second half were threes, including three straight - Hartwell hit two and Otis Livingston added one of his own - to turn that deficit into a 44-37 lead at the 13:50 mark.
Richmond (12-16, 6-9) got as close as four points the rest of the night.
Hartwell, just a freshman, scored a team-high 15 points, all on threes.
The Spiders led by as much as 10 points in the opening half, building a 16-6 lead on Julius Johnson's 3-pointer at the 14:49 mark. Hartwell drained a three with five seconds to play that put the Patriots up 32-29 at the break.
Johnson scored a game-high 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting for Richmond.
ESPN +
FAIRFAX, Va. - Jamal Hartwell and his George Mason teammates were nearly unstoppable from behind the arc in the second half Wednesday.
The Patriots were 8-of-12 from three over the final 20 minutes with Hartwell knocking down three in a 77-63 victory in Atlantic 10 play.
George Mason (16-12, 10-5) trailed by a point when Richmond's Jacob Gilyard hit a jumper with just over 16 minutes left. But George Mason's first five field goals in the second half were threes, including three straight - Hartwell hit two and Otis Livingston added one of his own - to turn that deficit into a 44-37 lead at the 13:50 mark.
Richmond (12-16, 6-9) got as close as four points the rest of the night.
Hartwell, just a freshman, scored a team-high 15 points, all on threes.
The Spiders led by as much as 10 points in the opening half, building a 16-6 lead on Julius Johnson's 3-pointer at the 14:49 mark. Hartwell drained a three with five seconds to play that put the Patriots up 32-29 at the break.
Johnson scored a game-high 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting for Richmond.
Games 721-722: Two on Tuesday
722 - Eastern New Mexico women at West Texas A&M
February 26 at First United Bank Center in Canyon, TX
ESPN +
721 - Ohio at Kent State
February 26 at Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center in Kent, OH
ESPN +
One of my favorite things about writing about college basketball is there are so many teams at several levels, so every day I can discover a player I didn't previously know existed.
Tuesday, I found out about Ohio freshman Jason Preston. He's an excellent passer and really quick to the rim, making him a perfect fit in Ohio's offense, which relies on moving the ball quickly around the perimeter to find open threes. Preston came pretty close to a triple-double in the Bobcats' 78-73 loss - 11 points, eight assists (with no turnovers) and eight rebounds - and I'm looking forward to watching him more over the next three seasons.
For the winners, Jaylin Walker scored 18 of his game-high 23 points in the second half (and was 4-of-6 from three-point range) and carried the Golden Flashes down the stretch of their ninth MAC victory.
February 26 at First United Bank Center in Canyon, TX
ESPN +
721 - Ohio at Kent State
February 26 at Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center in Kent, OH
ESPN +
One of my favorite things about writing about college basketball is there are so many teams at several levels, so every day I can discover a player I didn't previously know existed.
Tuesday, I found out about Ohio freshman Jason Preston. He's an excellent passer and really quick to the rim, making him a perfect fit in Ohio's offense, which relies on moving the ball quickly around the perimeter to find open threes. Preston came pretty close to a triple-double in the Bobcats' 78-73 loss - 11 points, eight assists (with no turnovers) and eight rebounds - and I'm looking forward to watching him more over the next three seasons.
For the winners, Jaylin Walker scored 18 of his game-high 23 points in the second half (and was 4-of-6 from three-point range) and carried the Golden Flashes down the stretch of their ninth MAC victory.
Games 719-720: Monday doubleheader
720 - (2) Southwestern College vs. (1) Oklahoma Wesleyan
KCAC championship game
February 25 at Hartman Arena in Park City, KS
espn3
719 - South Carolina State at NC Central
February 25 at McDougald-McLendon Arena in Durham, NC
ESPNU
Here's a note I wrote just a few minutes before tip-off of NC Central's 72-62 victory: Cory Alexander, don't let me down saying the word "basketball". Be the best Stan Lewter you can be.
Back in December, I scribbled down a similar message for Lewter before the Gardner-Webb-Wake Forest game, and Lewter came through with a fantastic performance. Alexander didn't quite reach that level, but 40 total mentions of the word "basketball" (one per game minute) is nothing to be ashamed of.
Play-by-play man Doug Sherman added 11 of his own for a broadcast total of 51 (1.27/game minute).
Well done, gentleman.
KCAC championship game
February 25 at Hartman Arena in Park City, KS
espn3
719 - South Carolina State at NC Central
February 25 at McDougald-McLendon Arena in Durham, NC
ESPNU
Here's a note I wrote just a few minutes before tip-off of NC Central's 72-62 victory: Cory Alexander, don't let me down saying the word "basketball". Be the best Stan Lewter you can be.
Back in December, I scribbled down a similar message for Lewter before the Gardner-Webb-Wake Forest game, and Lewter came through with a fantastic performance. Alexander didn't quite reach that level, but 40 total mentions of the word "basketball" (one per game minute) is nothing to be ashamed of.
Play-by-play man Doug Sherman added 11 of his own for a broadcast total of 51 (1.27/game minute).
Well done, gentleman.
Game 718 - Milwaukee at Illinois-Chicago
February 24 at Credit Union 1 Arena in Chicago, IL
ESPN +
The trio of Marcus Ottey, Tarkus Ferguson and Godwin Boahen have all had great careers for Illinois-Chicago, and each is just a junior. Sunday, Boahen joined his classmates in the 1,000-point club, and scored a game-high 22 points in the Flames' 74-59 win.
Milwaukee actually erased a 17-point deficit and took a 52-49 lead on a Jake Wright corner three with just under 12 minutes to go in the game. Illinois-Chicago immediately took back control of the game, going on an 18-0 run over the next eight minutes and taking a 67-52 lead on an Ottey 3-pointer at the 4:04 mark.
Ottey added 14 points and eight rebounds, while Ferguson chipped in with 12 points and eight assists. Boahen was 8-of-16 from the field and finished with six assists and eight rebounds.
UIC (9-7 in the Horizon League) hit half of its 54 field goal attempts, while holding the Panthers to just 34% from the field.
ESPN +
The trio of Marcus Ottey, Tarkus Ferguson and Godwin Boahen have all had great careers for Illinois-Chicago, and each is just a junior. Sunday, Boahen joined his classmates in the 1,000-point club, and scored a game-high 22 points in the Flames' 74-59 win.
Milwaukee actually erased a 17-point deficit and took a 52-49 lead on a Jake Wright corner three with just under 12 minutes to go in the game. Illinois-Chicago immediately took back control of the game, going on an 18-0 run over the next eight minutes and taking a 67-52 lead on an Ottey 3-pointer at the 4:04 mark.
Ottey added 14 points and eight rebounds, while Ferguson chipped in with 12 points and eight assists. Boahen was 8-of-16 from the field and finished with six assists and eight rebounds.
UIC (9-7 in the Horizon League) hit half of its 54 field goal attempts, while holding the Panthers to just 34% from the field.
Game 717 - Hofstra women at Northeastern
February 24 at Cabot Athletic Center in Boston, MA
Howlin' Huskies Productions
Just a brutal loss for Northeastern, which blew a 14-point lead, didn't make a basket over the final 6 1/2 minutes and lost 63-62 on a three-point play with two seconds left.
Ana Hernandez-Gil was a huge reason why the visitors came back, knocking down three 3-pointers during a two-minute stretch that saw Hofstra turn a six-point deficit into its first lead of the day (58-57) on the last of the threes at the 1:40 mark.
The lead changed hands four more times after that with Northeastern grabbing a two-point lead at 62-60 on free throws from Ayanna Dublin and Stella Clark. After a time out, Boogie Brozoski (game-high 20 points) was short on a lay-up attempt*, but Sica Cuzic grabbed the rebound, made the lay-in while being fouled and her free throw was the difference.
In Colonial Athletic Association play, Hofstra is 2-0 against Northeastern and 0-12 against everyone else.
Northeastern, which fell to 5-9 in league play, is probably sick of seeing Brozoski. The senior guard scored a career-high 34 points in the win on January 27.
The hosts built a 40-26 lead on a jumper by Jess Genco with 7:12 left in the third and led 51-38 heading into the fourth. The Huskies went 1-of-17 from the field in the final period with the only make coming on a Shannon Todd lay-up with 6:34 to play.
* On that lay-up attempt, play-by-play man Kevin Gehl provided our latest-ever "dribble drive". Not sure who was more clutch, Cuzic or Gehl.
Howlin' Huskies Productions
Just a brutal loss for Northeastern, which blew a 14-point lead, didn't make a basket over the final 6 1/2 minutes and lost 63-62 on a three-point play with two seconds left.
Ana Hernandez-Gil was a huge reason why the visitors came back, knocking down three 3-pointers during a two-minute stretch that saw Hofstra turn a six-point deficit into its first lead of the day (58-57) on the last of the threes at the 1:40 mark.
The lead changed hands four more times after that with Northeastern grabbing a two-point lead at 62-60 on free throws from Ayanna Dublin and Stella Clark. After a time out, Boogie Brozoski (game-high 20 points) was short on a lay-up attempt*, but Sica Cuzic grabbed the rebound, made the lay-in while being fouled and her free throw was the difference.
In Colonial Athletic Association play, Hofstra is 2-0 against Northeastern and 0-12 against everyone else.
Northeastern, which fell to 5-9 in league play, is probably sick of seeing Brozoski. The senior guard scored a career-high 34 points in the win on January 27.
The hosts built a 40-26 lead on a jumper by Jess Genco with 7:12 left in the third and led 51-38 heading into the fourth. The Huskies went 1-of-17 from the field in the final period with the only make coming on a Shannon Todd lay-up with 6:34 to play.
* On that lay-up attempt, play-by-play man Kevin Gehl provided our latest-ever "dribble drive". Not sure who was more clutch, Cuzic or Gehl.
Games 714-716: Saturday tripleheader
716 - San Diego State at UNLV
February 23 at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, NV
ESPNU
715 - Loyola (Maryland) at Boston
February 23 at Case Gym in Boston, MA
Patriot League Network
714 - Georgia State at Coastal Carolina
February 23 at HTC Center in Conway, SC
ESPN +
Other games watched:
Eastern Illinois women at Tennessee State
SIU Edwardsville at Belmont
February 23 at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, NV
ESPNU
715 - Loyola (Maryland) at Boston
February 23 at Case Gym in Boston, MA
Patriot League Network
714 - Georgia State at Coastal Carolina
February 23 at HTC Center in Conway, SC
ESPN +
Other games watched:
Eastern Illinois women at Tennessee State
SIU Edwardsville at Belmont
Game 713 - Davidson at Rhode Island
February 22 at Ryan Center in Kingston, RI
ESPN2
Triple-double!
Jon Axel Gudmundsson finished with 20 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists and Davidson shot 61% from the field as a team in a 75-66 victory.
Gudmundsson is the second Wildcat to pick up a triple-double, joining John Falconi (December 28, 1973 vs. Loyola). It's also the third triple-double in 200 Game Season's nearly-four-year history (D'Marcus Simonds of Georgia State & Michigan's Zavier Simpson).
ESPN2
Triple-double!
Jon Axel Gudmundsson finished with 20 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists and Davidson shot 61% from the field as a team in a 75-66 victory.
Gudmundsson is the second Wildcat to pick up a triple-double, joining John Falconi (December 28, 1973 vs. Loyola). It's also the third triple-double in 200 Game Season's nearly-four-year history (D'Marcus Simonds of Georgia State & Michigan's Zavier Simpson).
Games 710-712: Three on Thursday
712 - Cal Baptist at Grand Canyon
February 21 at GCU Arena in Phoenix, AZ
ESPN +
"dribble drive"
Color commentator Scott Williams, 16:03 left in the first half
711 - Chicago State at Utah Valley
February 21 at UCCU Center in Orem, UT
WAC Digital Network
Incredible shooting performance from Utah Valley, which thanks to Jake Toolson (25 points, 6-of-9 from three-point range) made 59% of its attempts from behind the arc in a 103-71 win.
Not surprising that Chicago State struggled this much defensively as the visitors came into the night 349th (out of 351 teams) in Division 1 in scoring defense and 342nd in field goal percentage defense (the Wolverines shot 58% overall).
Utah Valley had four others reach double-figures in scoring, led by Richard Harward's 19-point, 16-rebound on 8-of-10 shooting night.
710 - Georgia State at Appalachian State
February 21 at Holmes Convocation Center in Boone, NC
ESPN +
With Texas State's home loss to Louisiana-Monroe Thursday, GSU pulled even at 10-4 for first place in the Sun Belt with an 80-75 win.
Kane Williams, just a sophomore but one of the top point guards in the league, hit a difficult 4-footer and then completed a three-point play with 41 seconds left that put the Panthers (19-8) up for good. Williams then rejected Ronshad Shabazz's jumper with 11 seconds left, part of a defensive effort that held Appalachian State scoreless over the final 1:47.
Malik Benlevi, coming off a 26-point night in a win over South Alabama, again led the way for GSU with 20 points, finishing a rebound short of a double-double.
Williams and D'Marcus Simonds finished with 18 points each for the Panthers.
Justin Forrest led the Mountaineers with 17 points.
February 21 at GCU Arena in Phoenix, AZ
ESPN +
"dribble drive"
Color commentator Scott Williams, 16:03 left in the first half
711 - Chicago State at Utah Valley
February 21 at UCCU Center in Orem, UT
WAC Digital Network
Incredible shooting performance from Utah Valley, which thanks to Jake Toolson (25 points, 6-of-9 from three-point range) made 59% of its attempts from behind the arc in a 103-71 win.
Not surprising that Chicago State struggled this much defensively as the visitors came into the night 349th (out of 351 teams) in Division 1 in scoring defense and 342nd in field goal percentage defense (the Wolverines shot 58% overall).
Utah Valley had four others reach double-figures in scoring, led by Richard Harward's 19-point, 16-rebound on 8-of-10 shooting night.
710 - Georgia State at Appalachian State
February 21 at Holmes Convocation Center in Boone, NC
ESPN +
With Texas State's home loss to Louisiana-Monroe Thursday, GSU pulled even at 10-4 for first place in the Sun Belt with an 80-75 win.
Kane Williams, just a sophomore but one of the top point guards in the league, hit a difficult 4-footer and then completed a three-point play with 41 seconds left that put the Panthers (19-8) up for good. Williams then rejected Ronshad Shabazz's jumper with 11 seconds left, part of a defensive effort that held Appalachian State scoreless over the final 1:47.
Malik Benlevi, coming off a 26-point night in a win over South Alabama, again led the way for GSU with 20 points, finishing a rebound short of a double-double.
Williams and D'Marcus Simonds finished with 18 points each for the Panthers.
Justin Forrest led the Mountaineers with 17 points.
Games 708-709: Two on Wednesday
709 - Denver at South Dakota
February 20 at Sanford Coyote Sports Center in Vermillion, SD
Midco Sports Network
708 - Incarnate Word women at Lamar
February 20 at Montagne Center in Beaumont, TX
ESPN +
February 20 at Sanford Coyote Sports Center in Vermillion, SD
Midco Sports Network
708 - Incarnate Word women at Lamar
February 20 at Montagne Center in Beaumont, TX
ESPN +
Games 706-707: Monday doubleheader
707 - Oregon women at Oregon State
February 18 at Gill Coliseum in Corvallis, OR
ESPN
706 - Alcorn State at Arkansas-Pine Bluff
February 18 at H.O. Clemmons Arena in Pine Bluff, AR
ESPNU
"dribble drive"
Color commentator Malcolm Huckaby, 14:59 left in the first half.
The list
February 18 at Gill Coliseum in Corvallis, OR
ESPN
706 - Alcorn State at Arkansas-Pine Bluff
February 18 at H.O. Clemmons Arena in Pine Bluff, AR
ESPNU
"dribble drive"
Color commentator Malcolm Huckaby, 14:59 left in the first half.
The list
Game 705: Division II hoops
Hawaii Pacific at Azusa Pacific
February 16 at Felix Event Center in Azusa, CA
espn3
Color commentator Daimon Beathea had a pair of highlights late Saturday, starting with an early "dribble drive" at the 13:39 mark of the opening half of Azusa's 72-56 victory.
Highlight No. 2 came late in the second half when Hawaii Pacific attempted a shot that didn't touch either the backboard or the rim. Beathea:
"that was a rim bypass right there."
Daimon: it was an air ball.
Say air ball. "Rim bypass" is complete nonsense.
February 16 at Felix Event Center in Azusa, CA
espn3
Color commentator Daimon Beathea had a pair of highlights late Saturday, starting with an early "dribble drive" at the 13:39 mark of the opening half of Azusa's 72-56 victory.
Highlight No. 2 came late in the second half when Hawaii Pacific attempted a shot that didn't touch either the backboard or the rim. Beathea:
"that was a rim bypass right there."
Daimon: it was an air ball.
Say air ball. "Rim bypass" is complete nonsense.
Games 702-704: Saturday tripleheader
704 - Gonzaga at San Diego
February 16 at Jenny Craig Pavilion in San Diego, CA
ESPN
703 - Stephen F. Austin women at Northwestern State
February 16 at Prather Coliseum in Natchitoches, LA
espn3
Stephen F. Austin's top three players were excellent and the Lumberjacks remained unbeaten in Southland Conference play with an 87-67 win.
Stephanie Visscher scored 21 points and missed just one of her 10 field goal attempts, Imani Johnson also scored 21 and Chanell Hayes added 18 points as the visitors turned a five-point cushion late in the third into a comfortable win.
Stephen F. Austin, which hit 62% of its field goal attempts and had 26 assists on 33 made baskets, won its 13th consecutive game (it hasn't lost since getting crushed at New Mexico, December 20) and moved to 12-0 in league play.
702 - Virginia Tech at Pittsburgh
February 16 at Peterson Events Center in Pittsburgh, PA
NBC Sports Washington
That's win No. 20 for Tech, which got 29 points from Kerry Blackshear Jr. to hang on, 70-64.
This will be the fourth consecutive season the Hokies have won at least 20 games, just the second time in school history that has occurred. Led by future NBA players Dell Curry and Perry Young, the program won at least 20 in five consecutive seasons from 1981-1986.
Other games watched:
Northwestern at Nebraska
Arizona State at Utah
February 16 at Jenny Craig Pavilion in San Diego, CA
ESPN
703 - Stephen F. Austin women at Northwestern State
February 16 at Prather Coliseum in Natchitoches, LA
espn3
Stephen F. Austin's top three players were excellent and the Lumberjacks remained unbeaten in Southland Conference play with an 87-67 win.
Stephanie Visscher scored 21 points and missed just one of her 10 field goal attempts, Imani Johnson also scored 21 and Chanell Hayes added 18 points as the visitors turned a five-point cushion late in the third into a comfortable win.
Stephen F. Austin, which hit 62% of its field goal attempts and had 26 assists on 33 made baskets, won its 13th consecutive game (it hasn't lost since getting crushed at New Mexico, December 20) and moved to 12-0 in league play.
702 - Virginia Tech at Pittsburgh
February 16 at Peterson Events Center in Pittsburgh, PA
NBC Sports Washington
That's win No. 20 for Tech, which got 29 points from Kerry Blackshear Jr. to hang on, 70-64.
This will be the fourth consecutive season the Hokies have won at least 20 games, just the second time in school history that has occurred. Led by future NBA players Dell Curry and Perry Young, the program won at least 20 in five consecutive seasons from 1981-1986.
Other games watched:
Northwestern at Nebraska
Arizona State at Utah
Game 701 - Northern Kentucky at Wright State
February 15 at Nutter Center in Fairborn, OH
ESPNU
What a night for Bill Wampler, who scored a career-high 28 points off the bench in Wright State's fourth consecutive win, 81-77.
The victory pulled the Raiders even with NKU at 10-4 atop the Horizon League. The teams split the season series and each game was by four points.
Wampler was 10-of-14 from the field and his put back at the 1:15 mark put Wright State up for good.
Loudon Love is a really good post player and his 20 points and 11 rebounds were huge for the hosts, who trailed by as much as 16 points. Love was a big reason why Wright State picked up 38 points in the paint.
NKU went from 61% shooters (19-of-31) in the opening half to just 37% shooters (11-for-29) in the second and that was a big reason why Wright State was able to come back. Drew McDonald, who moved into third place on NKU's all-time scoring list, led the visitors with 23 points.
ESPNU
What a night for Bill Wampler, who scored a career-high 28 points off the bench in Wright State's fourth consecutive win, 81-77.
The victory pulled the Raiders even with NKU at 10-4 atop the Horizon League. The teams split the season series and each game was by four points.
Wampler was 10-of-14 from the field and his put back at the 1:15 mark put Wright State up for good.
Loudon Love is a really good post player and his 20 points and 11 rebounds were huge for the hosts, who trailed by as much as 16 points. Love was a big reason why Wright State picked up 38 points in the paint.
NKU went from 61% shooters (19-of-31) in the opening half to just 37% shooters (11-for-29) in the second and that was a big reason why Wright State was able to come back. Drew McDonald, who moved into third place on NKU's all-time scoring list, led the visitors with 23 points.
Game 700: Comeback
South Alabama at Georgia State
February 15 at GSU Sports Arena in Atlanta, GA
espn3
In the second half, Malik Benlevi scored 17 of his career-high 26 points, Jeff Thomas scored all but six of his 21, and Georgia State overcame an 18-point deficit to win 90-81.
Sourh Alabama went 12-of-19 from three-point range in the opening 20 minutes, building a lead as large as 50-32 and going into the locker room up 53-39. GSU didn't quit, and while the visitors cooled off considerably in the second half from long range - 2-of-13 - (they attempted 32 threes!), the Panthers climbed back into it.
A 16-1 run, which nearly erased the Jaguars' largest second-half lead of 16, was capped by Benlevi's corner three at the 13:53 mark and it was only a 56-55 deficit. Though South Alabama regained a six-point advantage when Josh Ajayi went 1-of-2 from the line at the 8:47 mark, Thomas' 3-pointer, one of four for the senior, put GSU ahead for good at 78-77 with just under four minutes to play.
After shooting 55% from the field in the first half, the Jaguars added just 28 points & shot 29% over the final 20 minutes, making one field goal over the final five minutes.
Benlevi had a huge night, going 5-for-7 from behind the arc and adding a team-high-tying (with Thomas) seven rebounds, five assists and three of GSU's 10 steals. Thomas moved into 15th on the school's all-time scoring list, passing both Jim Jacobs and current GSU radio commentator Lamont McIntosh.
The Panthers had 23 assists on 29 made baskets to move to 9-4 in Sun Belt play with five games to go.
February 15 at GSU Sports Arena in Atlanta, GA
espn3
In the second half, Malik Benlevi scored 17 of his career-high 26 points, Jeff Thomas scored all but six of his 21, and Georgia State overcame an 18-point deficit to win 90-81.
Sourh Alabama went 12-of-19 from three-point range in the opening 20 minutes, building a lead as large as 50-32 and going into the locker room up 53-39. GSU didn't quit, and while the visitors cooled off considerably in the second half from long range - 2-of-13 - (they attempted 32 threes!), the Panthers climbed back into it.
A 16-1 run, which nearly erased the Jaguars' largest second-half lead of 16, was capped by Benlevi's corner three at the 13:53 mark and it was only a 56-55 deficit. Though South Alabama regained a six-point advantage when Josh Ajayi went 1-of-2 from the line at the 8:47 mark, Thomas' 3-pointer, one of four for the senior, put GSU ahead for good at 78-77 with just under four minutes to play.
After shooting 55% from the field in the first half, the Jaguars added just 28 points & shot 29% over the final 20 minutes, making one field goal over the final five minutes.
Benlevi had a huge night, going 5-for-7 from behind the arc and adding a team-high-tying (with Thomas) seven rebounds, five assists and three of GSU's 10 steals. Thomas moved into 15th on the school's all-time scoring list, passing both Jim Jacobs and current GSU radio commentator Lamont McIntosh.
The Panthers had 23 assists on 29 made baskets to move to 9-4 in Sun Belt play with five games to go.
Games 698-699: Thursday!
699 - Southern Utah at Sacramento State
February 14 at The Nest in Sacramento, CA
Pluto TV
1. What is going on with the Sacramento State logo
?
2. Play-by-play announcer Steve McElroy not only gave us an early "dribble drive" (17:12 left in the first half), but also said these things:
"remember how whiny I was when we went to the last break? Well, it's completely turned around"
"and we get a little Tupac music here"
"the Hornets could move from 9th to 7th, based on tonight's results, and various stuff"
"they're also floppers and that's not a criticism, they're really good at it"
"Simon doesn't like it...Simon says 'I'm not happy with that call'"
"the Thunderbirds tried super hardcore pressure"
"the guy who swippers the floor"
698 - Georgia State women at Troy
February 14 at Trojan Arena in Troy, AL
espn3
Other games watched:
Gonzaga at Loyola Marymount
February 14 at The Nest in Sacramento, CA
Pluto TV
1. What is going on with the Sacramento State logo
?
2. Play-by-play announcer Steve McElroy not only gave us an early "dribble drive" (17:12 left in the first half), but also said these things:
"remember how whiny I was when we went to the last break? Well, it's completely turned around"
"and we get a little Tupac music here"
"the Hornets could move from 9th to 7th, based on tonight's results, and various stuff"
"they're also floppers and that's not a criticism, they're really good at it"
"Simon doesn't like it...Simon says 'I'm not happy with that call'"
"the Thunderbirds tried super hardcore pressure"
"the guy who swippers the floor"
698 - Georgia State women at Troy
February 14 at Trojan Arena in Troy, AL
espn3
Other games watched:
Gonzaga at Loyola Marymount
Game 697 - Troy at Georgia State
February 13 at GSU Sports Arena in Atlanta, GA
Sometimes it's nice to just let your best player and the conference's reigning player of the year just take over.
That's what happened Wednesday's as GSU's D'Marcus Simonds was excellent, scoring a game-high 27 points in a 77-63 win.
Simonds, who moved into No. 1 on the school's all-time field goals made list with nine (on 19 attempts), added seven rebounds and six assists in helping snap a brief, two-game losing streak.
It was just a one-point halftime lead before the hosts started the second by scoring the first eight points - Jeff Thomas hit a three and a lay-in, the last of which made it 42-33 and forced a Troy timeout less than three minutes into the half. The lead grew to as much as 18 on one of five Simonds' 3-pointers at the 12:11 mark.
Thomas and Devin Mitchell, the top two outside threats on the team, combined to go 6-for-7 from behind the arc and the Panthers hit 11 as a team. The defense also had 10 steals and forced 19 turnovers, and when that's happening at one end and the threes are falling at the other, GSU is difficult to beat.
The Panthers, now 17-8 overall and 8-4 in the Sun Belt, caught a huge break when Troy's Jordon Varnado missed his third consecutive game with an injury. Varnado has been a problem for the Panthers for the last two seasons of his nearly-2,000 point career, which thankfully ends in March. The senior scored 32 points on 12-of-16 shooting, including the game-winning 3-pointer with two seconds left in a 77-75 win back on January 19.
Sometimes it's nice to just let your best player and the conference's reigning player of the year just take over.
That's what happened Wednesday's as GSU's D'Marcus Simonds was excellent, scoring a game-high 27 points in a 77-63 win.
Simonds, who moved into No. 1 on the school's all-time field goals made list with nine (on 19 attempts), added seven rebounds and six assists in helping snap a brief, two-game losing streak.
It was just a one-point halftime lead before the hosts started the second by scoring the first eight points - Jeff Thomas hit a three and a lay-in, the last of which made it 42-33 and forced a Troy timeout less than three minutes into the half. The lead grew to as much as 18 on one of five Simonds' 3-pointers at the 12:11 mark.
Thomas and Devin Mitchell, the top two outside threats on the team, combined to go 6-for-7 from behind the arc and the Panthers hit 11 as a team. The defense also had 10 steals and forced 19 turnovers, and when that's happening at one end and the threes are falling at the other, GSU is difficult to beat.
The Panthers, now 17-8 overall and 8-4 in the Sun Belt, caught a huge break when Troy's Jordon Varnado missed his third consecutive game with an injury. Varnado has been a problem for the Panthers for the last two seasons of his nearly-2,000 point career, which thankfully ends in March. The senior scored 32 points on 12-of-16 shooting, including the game-winning 3-pointer with two seconds left in a 77-75 win back on January 19.
Game 696: Drake at Southern Illinois
February 12 at SIU Arena in Carbondale, IL
The Valley on ESPN
Midway through the first half, color commentator Ray Giacoletti on the Drake offense:
"they play one possession after another."
Thanks, Ray!
The Valley on ESPN
Midway through the first half, color commentator Ray Giacoletti on the Drake offense:
"they play one possession after another."
Thanks, Ray!
Game 695 - Illinois State at Missouri State
February 10 at JQH Arena in Springfield, MO
The Valley on ESPN
Jarred Dixon!
The Missouri State guard banked in a half-court 3-pointer at the buzzer and Missouri State won a thriller, 66-65.
Dixon's shot closed an absurd final possession. Illinois State had the ball with just under eight seconds left, but turned it over. The ball touched the hands of several players diving for the loose ball and Dixon scooped it up and launched a 47-footer for the win.
The ending nearly made me forget about the play of a number of really good mid-major players.
Milik Yarbrough of Illinois State came in as the MVC's leading scorer and took a bit to get going, but finished with 17 points in 31 minutes. His teammate, Phil Fayne, was the most impressive player on the court, dominating for stretches and finishing with 22 points on 9-of-15 shooting.
Meanwhile, Missouri State's Tulio Da Silva led the way for the Bears, not missing any of his eight field goal attempts for a team-high 17 points.
The Valley on ESPN
Jarred Dixon!
The Missouri State guard banked in a half-court 3-pointer at the buzzer and Missouri State won a thriller, 66-65.
Dixon's shot closed an absurd final possession. Illinois State had the ball with just under eight seconds left, but turned it over. The ball touched the hands of several players diving for the loose ball and Dixon scooped it up and launched a 47-footer for the win.
The ending nearly made me forget about the play of a number of really good mid-major players.
Milik Yarbrough of Illinois State came in as the MVC's leading scorer and took a bit to get going, but finished with 17 points in 31 minutes. His teammate, Phil Fayne, was the most impressive player on the court, dominating for stretches and finishing with 22 points on 9-of-15 shooting.
Meanwhile, Missouri State's Tulio Da Silva led the way for the Bears, not missing any of his eight field goal attempts for a team-high 17 points.
Game 694 - UC-Davis at UC Santa Barbara
February 9 at The Thunderdome in Santa Barbara, CA
ESPN
Great road win for UC-Davis, who got 21 points from new Scoochie Smith All Star T.J. Shorts II in a 61-57 win.
Shorts, listed at 5-9, but looks closer to 5-5 or 5-6, was 8-of-13 from the field in 36 minutes. Shorts' assist on a Joe Mooney three with 1:24 to play kept the visitors in front for good. That was the last of a trio of 3-pointers for Mooney, who added 13 points.
Anyway, that's three consecutive seasons UC-Davis has come into the Thunderdome and left with a victory.
Santa Barbara struggled from deep as a team (3-of-15) and got just nine points from leading scorer Armond Davis.
ESPN
Great road win for UC-Davis, who got 21 points from new Scoochie Smith All Star T.J. Shorts II in a 61-57 win.
Shorts, listed at 5-9, but looks closer to 5-5 or 5-6, was 8-of-13 from the field in 36 minutes. Shorts' assist on a Joe Mooney three with 1:24 to play kept the visitors in front for good. That was the last of a trio of 3-pointers for Mooney, who added 13 points.
T.J. Shorts THE SECOND!
Anyway, that's three consecutive seasons UC-Davis has come into the Thunderdome and left with a victory.
Santa Barbara struggled from deep as a team (3-of-15) and got just nine points from leading scorer Armond Davis.
Game 693: Division II hoops
Wisconsin-Parkside at Grand Valley State
February 9 at GVSU Fieldhouse in Allendale, MI
espn3
I can't even call what Joey St. Pierre did at the end of overtime a "tip-in". It was more of a shove-in, or a throw-in, but it makes no difference to Wisconsin-Parkside, which picked up an 80-79 win in the final seconds.
With the visitors trailing 79-78, Ramar Evans threw up a shot attempt and St. Pierre jumped for a rebound and with both arms flipped the ball into the basket to make it 80-79. Grand Valley State's Jeremiah Ferguson's attempt at a winning jumper came after the buzzer sounded.
Jake Van Tubbergen's 2-for-2 trip to the free-throw line with 32 seconds left had given the host Lakers their final lead of the day.
St. Pierre scored the last six points and a team-high 20 overall for Wisconsin-Parkside, which shot 47% (11-of-23) from three-point range and improved to 10-5 in GLIAC play.
Grand Valley State (6-9 in GLIAC) got 20 points from both Ferguson and Van Tubbergen.
February 9 at GVSU Fieldhouse in Allendale, MI
espn3
I can't even call what Joey St. Pierre did at the end of overtime a "tip-in". It was more of a shove-in, or a throw-in, but it makes no difference to Wisconsin-Parkside, which picked up an 80-79 win in the final seconds.
With the visitors trailing 79-78, Ramar Evans threw up a shot attempt and St. Pierre jumped for a rebound and with both arms flipped the ball into the basket to make it 80-79. Grand Valley State's Jeremiah Ferguson's attempt at a winning jumper came after the buzzer sounded.
Jake Van Tubbergen's 2-for-2 trip to the free-throw line with 32 seconds left had given the host Lakers their final lead of the day.
St. Pierre scored the last six points and a team-high 20 overall for Wisconsin-Parkside, which shot 47% (11-of-23) from three-point range and improved to 10-5 in GLIAC play.
Grand Valley State (6-9 in GLIAC) got 20 points from both Ferguson and Van Tubbergen.
Games 691-692: Thursday/Friday pair
692 - Georgia State at Louisiana
February 8 at Cajundome in Lafayette, LA
ESPN2
691 - Pacific at Saint Mary's
February 7 at McKeon Pavilion in Moraga, CA
ESPNU
Other games watched:
New Mexico State at Cal State Bakersfield
February 8 at Cajundome in Lafayette, LA
ESPN2
691 - Pacific at Saint Mary's
February 7 at McKeon Pavilion in Moraga, CA
ESPNU
Other games watched:
New Mexico State at Cal State Bakersfield
Games 689-690: Wednesday doubleheader
690 - McNeese State at Sam Houston State
February 6 at Johnson Coliseum in Huntsville, TX
espn3
689 - Georgia State at Louisiana-Monroe
February 6 at Fant-Ewing Coliseum in Monroe, LA
ESPN +
February 6 at Johnson Coliseum in Huntsville, TX
espn3
689 - Georgia State at Louisiana-Monroe
February 6 at Fant-Ewing Coliseum in Monroe, LA
ESPN +
Game 688 - Mississippi Valley State at Grambling
February 4 at Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center in Grambling, LA
ESPNU
Grambling closed the first half on a 19-3 run, then hit half of its 30 field goal attempts in the second to win 79-57.
The trio of Axel Mpoyo (22 points on 8-of-10 shooting, 11 rebounds), Dallas Polk-Hilliard (20 points, 8-of-14 FG) & point guard Ivy Smith (18 points, seven assists) were excellent for the Tigers, who moved above .500 at 5-4 in SWAC play.
Mississippi Valley State, which dropped to 3-20 overall and remained winless on the road at 0-15, were beaten on the glass (50-32 rebounding edge for the hosts) and saw Grambling score 10 of the first 13 points within the first three minutes of the second half that essentially put an end to this one.
ESPNU
Grambling closed the first half on a 19-3 run, then hit half of its 30 field goal attempts in the second to win 79-57.
The trio of Axel Mpoyo (22 points on 8-of-10 shooting, 11 rebounds), Dallas Polk-Hilliard (20 points, 8-of-14 FG) & point guard Ivy Smith (18 points, seven assists) were excellent for the Tigers, who moved above .500 at 5-4 in SWAC play.
Mississippi Valley State, which dropped to 3-20 overall and remained winless on the road at 0-15, were beaten on the glass (50-32 rebounding edge for the hosts) and saw Grambling score 10 of the first 13 points within the first three minutes of the second half that essentially put an end to this one.
Games 686-687: Saturday night in Conference USA
687 - UTEP at Western Kentucky
February 2 at E.A. Diddle Arena in Bowling Green, KY
ESPN +
686 - Louisiana Tech at Florida International
February 2 at E.A. Diddle Arena in Bowling Green, KY
ESPN +
686 - Louisiana Tech at Florida International
February 2 at Ocean Bank Convocation Center in Miami, FL
ESPN +
Other games watched:
Morehead State at Eastern Illinois
UC Santa Barbara women at UC Riverside
Arkansas State at Little Rock
Other games watched:
Morehead State at Eastern Illinois
UC Santa Barbara women at UC Riverside
Arkansas State at Little Rock
Game 685 - Georgia Southern at Georgia State
February 2 at GSU Sports Arena in Atlanta, GA
ESPN +
The last time GSU was on the court, D'Marcus Simonds scored just one point in a win over UT-Arlington last Saturday.
Safe to say, Simonds bounced back a week later.
The junior scored a game-high 29 points, his back court mate Kane Williams added 19 and the Panthers closed the game on a 13-3 run to win 81-72.
Georgia Southern led 69-68 with about 4 1/2 minutes to play on a nice move in the lane by Tookie Brown that led to a lay-up. The Eagles would only score three points the rest of the day as Simonds hit 1-of-2 from the free-throw line to tie it and a jumper from Malik Benlevi with 3 1/2 minutes to go gave GSU (16-6, 7-2 Sun Belt Conference) the lead for good. Williams, who added four assists and four steals, was 6-for-6 from the line down the stretch.
Jeff Thomas, whose follow-dunk of a Benlevi miss with 1:13 to go was the highlight of the afternoon & made it 77-70, did a bit of everything, adding 10 points on 5-of-10 shooting to go along with six rebounds and two assists. Benlevi added 12 on 5-of-8 shooting.
Quan Jackson led Southern (13-9, 5-4) with 20 points, 16 of which came after halftime.
The teams meet again in Statesboro, Georgia on March 9, the final day of the regular season.
ESPN +
The last time GSU was on the court, D'Marcus Simonds scored just one point in a win over UT-Arlington last Saturday.
Safe to say, Simonds bounced back a week later.
The junior scored a game-high 29 points, his back court mate Kane Williams added 19 and the Panthers closed the game on a 13-3 run to win 81-72.
Georgia Southern led 69-68 with about 4 1/2 minutes to play on a nice move in the lane by Tookie Brown that led to a lay-up. The Eagles would only score three points the rest of the day as Simonds hit 1-of-2 from the free-throw line to tie it and a jumper from Malik Benlevi with 3 1/2 minutes to go gave GSU (16-6, 7-2 Sun Belt Conference) the lead for good. Williams, who added four assists and four steals, was 6-for-6 from the line down the stretch.
Jeff Thomas, whose follow-dunk of a Benlevi miss with 1:13 to go was the highlight of the afternoon & made it 77-70, did a bit of everything, adding 10 points on 5-of-10 shooting to go along with six rebounds and two assists. Benlevi added 12 on 5-of-8 shooting.
Quan Jackson led Southern (13-9, 5-4) with 20 points, 16 of which came after halftime.
The teams meet again in Statesboro, Georgia on March 9, the final day of the regular season.
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