Big men, long shots lift Tigers

AUBURN, Alabama On Wednesday night, No. 13 Auburn defeated 11th-ranked South Carolina 101-61 behind 23 points from Jaylin Williams and 21 from Johni Broome. It was the Tigers’ most decisive victory against a ranked team.

With a commanding 22-point advantage at the half, the Tigers (20-5, 9-3) ended South Carolina’s seven-game winning streak. They moved into a tie for second place in the league standings with the Gamecocks (21-4, 9-3), only behind Alabama (9-2).

The majority of Auburn’s damage was done from long range by both of its big men, and the club achieved its sixth 20-win campaign in the previous seven years.

Williams made four three-pointers in the first half of the game, going 5 of 7 overall. In the second half, Broome drained all three of his chances and finished 4 of 5.

With 11 points from Tre Donaldson and 10 from Chad Baker-Mazara, the Tigers dominated the top-ranked defense in the SEC. The Gamecocks had only allowed 64 points per game entering the contest and had not allowed more than 77.

Meechie Johnson scored 22 points for the Gamecocks, but after shoving Baker-Mazara in the closing seconds, he was assessed a technical foul.

For South Carolina, Collin Murray-Boyles contributed 19 points and seven rebounds. The rookie had just scored 31 points, making 14 of 17 shots, against Vanderbilt. 14 was B.J. Mack’s score.

The first quarter saw the Tigers jump out to a 50-28 advantage, which was sealed with a three-pointer from Baker-Mazara with only two seconds remaining. In a single sequence, Williams drained three straight three-pointers as Auburn grabbed an 18-3 lead.

Early in the second half, South Carolina did manage to cut the lead to 16, but Auburn’s next eight points, including two three-pointers, were scored by Broome. From then on, the margin simply grew larger.

Despite their 50 previous meetings, this was the first time both teams had come into the game rated.

UCONN101, NO. 1

DePAUL 65

With 21 points from Alex Karaban, No. 1 UConn defeated DePaul to win for the 13th time in a row.

After scoring 25 points in a rout of Georgetown last week, Karaban sank five three-pointers, one short of his career high. The Huskies (23-2, 13-1) wasted little time in destroying the Blue Demons (3-21, 0-13). In the first few minutes, they took charge and never looked back. A more challenging test awaits UConn on Saturday when it welcomes No. 4 Marquette.

Cam Spencer scored 14 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists, while Stephon Castle led UConn with 15 points and six assists.

Jaden Henley led DePaul with 15 points. However, it was the Blue Demons’ sixth loss in a row and their 12th overall since Tony Stubblefield was fired and replaced by interim coach Matt Brady.

UConn demonstrated why it is ranked first in the AP poll for the fifth consecutive week.

Just over eight minutes into the game, Spencer sank a three-pointer, and Jaylin Stewart broke for a layup, putting them ahead 22-7. And they won this one with a 13-2 run after taking a 31-18 lead.

With 7:15 remaining in the half, Karaban initiated the play by making a jumper. After a steal, Hassan Diarra made a long-range layup to extend the lead to 20 points. With just over four minutes remaining in the half, Spencer pulled up for a jumper in the lane, and Tristen Newton scored on a put-back to make it 44-20.

In the Top 25 women’s action On Wednesday night, No. 2 Ohio State pulled away early and easily defeated Nebraska 80-47, with to 23 points from Jacy Sheldon and 20 and 10 rebounds from Cotie McMahon. With three regular-season games remaining, including a prime-time showdown with Iowa and Caitlin Clark on March 3, the Buckeyes (22-3, 13-1) this week tied their highest ranking in the AP Top 25 in school history and lead the Big Ten standings. Although Nebraska upset the then-No. 2 Hawkeyes the previous weekend, the Huskers (16-9, 8-6) were never in danger of recording another historic victory on Wednesday. Alexis Markowski, the Huskers’ top scorer (16.4 points per game), led her team with just nine points, but the