COLLEGE BASKETBALL ROUNDUP

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Feb 26, 2009

UConn coach seventh to win 800 games

MILWAUKEE -- Jim Calhoun's 800th career victory came thanks in large part to senior guard A.J. Price, who scored a career-high 36 points as No. 2 Connecticut beat No. 8 Marquette 93-82 on Wednesday night.

Calhoun joined Bob Knight, Dean Smith, Adolph Rupp, Jim Phelan, Mike Krzyzewski and Eddie Sutton as the only coaches to win 800 games in Division I history.

"I looked around at that list, and I'm really happy to be in their company," Calhoun said.

Stanley Robinson added 19 points and 10 rebounds for the Huskies (26-2, 14-2 Big East), who had a pronounced size advantage going into the game but ended up getting the best of Marquette on the perimeter, too.

Jerel McNeal scored 26 points for the Golden Eagles (23-5, 12- 3), who played most of the game without guard Dominic James.

James broke a bone in his left foot early in the first half. Golden Eagles coach Buzz Williams announced after the game that James' college career is over.

"I hugged him before I came in here," Williams said, his voice cracking.

James played only 4 minutes in the first half, and the school announced after halftime that he broke the fifth metatarsal in his left foot. James, one of the Golden Eagles' trio of standout senior guards, has 1,749 career points and is one of the team's top defensive players.

VIRGINIA TECH 80, #12 CLEMSON 77 -- At Clemson, S.C., Malcolm Delaney scored 26 points and Virginia Tech ended a three-game losing streak by rallying past Clemson.

Delaney put the Hokies (17-10, 7-6 Atlantic Coast Conference) ahead for good with 7 minutes left, then kept pushing them forward to keep their NCAA tournament hopes alive.

"If we win a couple of more games, I don't see how they can keep us out," Delaney said, smiling.

Clemson (22-5, 8-5) had a final shot to tie the game, but Demontez Stitt's desperation 3-point try bounced off the rim.

Terrence Oglesby had 22 points, including six 3-pointers, for Clemson.

#7 DUKE 78, MARYLAND 67 -- At College Park, Md., Gerald Henderson scored 19 points, Jon Scheyer hit a key 3-pointer with 1:54 left, and No. 7 Duke spoiled Maryland's upset bid with a 78-67 victory Wednesday night.

Eager to avenge an 85-44 loss to the Blue Devils last month and build on Saturday's win over then-No. 3 North Carolina, the Terrapins forged a tie with 5:44 left.

But Duke (23-5, 9-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) pulled away, and by the time Scheyer's pivotal shot from beyond the arc made it 72- 63, the volume of the sellout crowd had already dropped several decibels.

Landon Milbourne scored 19 points for Maryland (17-10, 6-7), which played much of the second half without leading scorer Greivis Vasquez, who was saddled with foul trouble.

Elliot Williams had 15 points for the Blue Devils, who ended a three-game road losing streak in the ACC.

#10 VILLANOVA 74, DEPAUL 72 -- At Rosemont, Ill., Scottie Reynolds and Dante Cunningham both scored 18 points, and Villanova rallied for its ninth win in 10 games.

The Wildcats (23-5, 11-4 Big East) trailed by eight points early in the second half, then went on a 21-5 run to take a 52-44 lead. They were leading 60-48 with about 6 minutes left, but rather than pull away, they had to hang on as DePaul made a late push behind Will Walker's 3-point barrage.

He hit four 3-pointers during a 12-2 run that pulled the Blue Demons (8-20, 0-15) within 62-60 with 2:47 left, but it wasn't enough, and they lost their 15th straight, extending their record losing streak.

#9 MICHIGAN ST. 62, IOWA 54 -- At East Lansing, Mich., Freshman Delvon Roe scored 16 points, and classmate Korie Lucious added 12 to lead Michigan State.

The win gives the Spartans (22-5, 12-3) a 1 1/2-game lead in the Big Ten race over No. 16 Purdue and a two-game lead over No. 20 Illinois.

Michigan State dominated the boards, outrebounding Iowa 33-19.

Jake Kelly had 20 points for the Hawkeyes (14-14, 4-11).

Iowa trailed by 12 points in the first half and got as close as 48-43 with 8:27 remaining in the game.

The Associated Press