Games 648-650: Weekend tripleheader

650- Indiana State vs. UNLV
December 23 at Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu, HI
ESPN2

Jordan Barnes didn't attempt a shot until 7 1/2 minutes remained in the first half, yet finished with 28 points on 11-of-15 shooting in Indiana State's 84-79 win in the semifinals of the Diamond Head Classic.

The Sycamores (8-3), who will play either Bucknell or TCU in the final Christmas Day, have an excellent trio in Barnes, wing Tyreke Key (16 points) and 6-9, 255-pound post player Emondre Rickman (13 points, 6-of-9 FG). ISU, which came in leading the country in three-point shooting, hit 41% of their long-range shots Sunday, but took just 12 from behind the arc and had a surprisingly-huge night in the post thanks to players like Rickman.

The Sycamores look like a definite contender in the Missouri Valley Conference.

Nice nights for sophomore Amauri Hardy - 22 points on 7-of-11 from the field - and freshman Joel Ntambwe (21 points, 15 rebounds) in a losing effort for UNLV.

649 - William & Mary at Virginia
December 22 at John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville, VA
ACC Network

Other games watched:

Texas State at Arkansas
Winthrop at Southern Illinois


648 - Idaho at Santa Clara
December 21 at Leavey Center in Santa Clara, CA
wccsports.com

Nonsense

"went in amongst the trees"
"it's a foul fest"
"fundamental footwork"
"rainbow three"
"ladies and gentleman, see the Vandals run"
"he's a stretch three"
"trap game"
"the cozy confines of the Leavey Center"
"a cardinal basketball sin"

Games 350-351: WCC semis

351 - (3) BYU vs. (2) Saint Mary's
350 - (4) Santa Clara vs. (1) Gonzaga

West Coast semifinals
March 6 at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, NV
ESPN

Saint Mary's defense held BYU to 31% shooting in a 81-50 blowout victory. The Gaels' offense was also rolling as they hit 13-of-25 from behind the arc and got double-doubles from both Emmet Naar, who handed out 11 assists to go along with 12 points, and Jock Landale (22 points and 10 rebounds).

That'll set up a championship game match up with Associated Press No. 4 Gonzaga, which had a few problems with the Broncos, but won 77-68 to reach the WCC final for the 20th consecutive season.

Not much more to say about Nigel Williams-Goss, whose followed winning the WCC player of the year award with an average of 22.5 points, seven rebounds and 4.5 assists in two tournament wins over Pacific and the Gaels.

Jared Brownridge was once again tremendous for the No. 4 seed, scoring a game-high 32 points in a losing effort.

Game 266 - BYU at Santa Clara

January 26 at Leavey Center in Santa Clara, CA
ESPN

Jared Brownridge!

Brownridge was fantastic for much of the game, scoring 25 points and leading the Broncos to a 76-68 win, snapping a 16-game losing streak in the series.

Santa Clara knocked off BYU for the first time SINCE DECEMBER 2, 1972. Average margin of victory for the Cougars during their streak, which included a 30-point win less than a month ago, was 18 1/2 points.

Santa Clara not only avenged that defeat, but the 6-3 Broncos pulled even with BYU for third place in the West Coast Conference.