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GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Devin Vassell scored 13 points, M.J. Walker added 12 and Florida State upset No. 6 Florida 63-51 on Sunday, extending its series winning streak to six.
The Seminoles (1-1) avoided their first 0-2 start since 2000 thanks to suffocating defense that forced the rival Gators (1-1) into 16 turnovers and a woeful shooting performance. Florida was 14 of 50 from the field, including 4 of 22 from 3-point range.
Florida’s football team scored more points this week that its basketball team.
The Gators, a six-point favorite at home, expected some growing pains from a team that features graduate transfer Kerry Blackshear Jr., three sophomores and five freshmen. They clearly weren’t ready to match Florida State’s intensity.
A sellout crowd witnessed FSU take over late in the first half and really seize control after the break. The Gators went 10 minutes with just one field goal — a dunk on an inbound play — as Florida State pulled ahead 38-25 in the opening minutes of the second half. The ‘Noles went up by 14 on Anthony Polite’s 3-pointer with 9:31 to play.
Keyontae Johnson led the Gators with 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting.
Louisville 78, Youngstown State 55
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Jordan Nwora scored 21 points in Louisville’s home opener.
The Cardinals (2-0) made the first 11 shots to jump out to a 24-8 lead. They then started the second half making seven of their first nine shots to put away the Penguins (1-1).
Steven Enoch added 17 points and a career-high 14 rebounds for Louisville
Naz Bohannon led the Penguins with 14 points.
Virginia 65, James Madison 34
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Mamadi Diakite had 19 points and 13 rebounds and Virginia used a 29-6 run spanning halftime to pull away.
The Cavaliers (2-0) led by just 22-20 until Kihei Clark’s 3-pointer started a 9-0 burst for Virginia. A 3-pointer by Darius Banks ended that, making it 31-23 at the half.
Braxton Key scored seven straight for the Cavaliers. After Zach Jacobs’ 3-pointer for JMU, Virginia reeled off 13 more points to lead 51-26 with just under 12 minutes to play. Key finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds and, like Diakite, spent most of the last 10 minutes watching.
Matt Lewis led James Madison (1-1) with 14 points.
Ohio State 76, UMass-Lowell 56
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Freshman D.J. Carton and Kaleb Wesson each had 13 points for Ohio State.
The Buckeyes (2-0) got contributions throughout the lineup in the tuneup against the Atlantic East squad ahead of Wednesday night’s matchup with No. 10 Villanova. Wesson also had 13 rebounds and five assists. Luther Muhammad added 11 points.
Obadiah Noel led UMass-Lowell (1-2) with 15 points.
WOMEN’S ROUNDUP
South Carolina 63, Maryland 54
COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Freshman Aliyah Boston scored 14 points and was an immovable force in the middle of the South Carolina defense, blocking five shots to help the No. 8 Gamecocks beat No. 4 Maryland 63-54 on Sunday in an early matchup between two of the nation’s premier women’s basketball programs.
South Carolina (2-0) never trailed in its first road test.
The Terrapins (1-1) return all five starters from a squad that went 29-5 and won the Big Ten regular-season title. The Gamecocks led by 10 at halftime, upped the margin to 14 in the third quarter and remained comfortably in front the rest of the way.
After guiding South Carolina to a 23-10 record and an appearance in the Sweet 16 last season, coach Dawn Staley is counting on a retooled roster that features only two seniors and one junior. Seniors Tyasha Harris and Mikiah Herbert Harrigan were joined in the starting lineup by freshmen Zia Cooke, Boston and Brea Beal. The 6-foot-5 Boston was a difference-maker. Not only did go 6 of 10 from the floor, but she grabbed seven rebounds and altered many a shot in the lane.
Freshman Ashley Owusa scored 17 for the Terps. They shot 31% and were 2 for 16 from 3-point range.
UConn 72, California 61
STORRS, Conn. — Christyn Williams scored 24 points and opened with a closer-than-expected victory over California.
Megan Walker had 21 points and 10 rebounds, and Crystal Dangerfield added 14 points for the Huskies. They haven’t lost a season opener since 1995.
Sara Anastasieska led Cal (1-1) with 25 points.
Texas A&M 69, Duke 58
COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Chennedy Carter scored 25 points and Texas A&M beat Duke.
The Aggies (2-0) outrebounded the Blue Devils 47-26, despite Duke holding a nearly 3-inch average height advantage over Texas A&M. Along those lines the Aggies also dominated the Blue Devils inside in outscoring Duke 38-26 in points in the paint.
Haley Gorecki led Duke (1-1) with 16 points.
Kentucky 67, Middle Tennessee State 52
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Amanda Paschal had 16 points and Kentucky scored the first 13 points of the second half.
Clinging to a 22-18 lead at the half, the Wildcats harassed the Blue Raiders into five turnovers early in the third quarter. Five players scored for Kentucky (2-0) before Middle Tennessee ended the drought.
The Wildcats had a 31-18 advantage in the third quarter, making 13 of 20 shots, including 4 of 5 3-pointers. Anastasia Hayes led the Blue Raiders (1-1) with 22.
North Carolina State 80, UNC Wilmington 40
RALEIGH, N.C. — Elissa Cunane scored 18 points and North Carolina State cruised past UNC Wilmington, giving Wolfpack coach Wes Moore his 700th career victory.
Moore is 700-227. He took over the Wolfpack (2-0) in 2013 and is 142-58.
GiGi Smith led the Seahawks (0-2) with 17 points.
Miami 83, Jackson State 68
CORAL GABLES, Fla. — Kelsey Marshall scored 18 points and Beatrice Mompremier had 16 points and 11 rebounds in Miami’s opening victory.
Mykea Gray scored 12 points to help Miami win its 27th consecutive home opener.
Ameysha Williams had 14 points and 11 rebounds for Jackson State (0-2).
Minnesota 90, Vermont 58
MINNEAPOLIS — Freshman Jasmine Powell scored 19 points and bounced back from a season-opening loss to beat Vermont.
Destiny Pitts added 16 points, and Taiye Bello added 14 points and 10 rebounds. The Gophers were coming off a 77-69 loss to Missouri State on Tuesday night.
Hanna Crymble led Vermont (0-2) with 22 points.
Indiana 111, Nicholls State 47
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Freshman Mackenzie Homes made all nine of her shots and scored 22 points and Indiana coasted past Nicholls State.
Ali Patberg had 17 points on 7-of-8 shooting with eight rebounds and nine assists for Indiana (2-0).
Tykeria Williams led Nicholls State (0-2) with 12 points.
Miami 77, Bradley 57
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Naz Hillmon had 6 points and 12 rebounds to lead Michigan.
Hillmon, last season’s Big Ten freshman of the year, was 6 of 10 from the field and 4 of 5 from the line for the Wolverines (2-0). She also had three assists. Lasha Petree led Bradley (1-1) with 17 points.