Basketball Page 508 - Sports News, Headlines & Highlights

Pelicans keep up winning ways, dispose of Nets
Zion Williamson collected 28 points, seven rebounds and four assists as the New Orleans Pelicans continued their playoff push by leading virtually the entire way in a 104-91 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday night in New York....

No. 4 Georgia hangs on after feverish rally from Xavier in NIT
Russel Tchewa made a pair of critical defensive plays in the closing seconds and No. 4 Georgia avoided a disastrous collapse in its 78-76 win over Xavier to open the NIT on Tuesday in Athens, Ga....

Jalen Green puts up 42 as Rockets blitz Wizards
Jalen Green tied his career high with 42 points while rookie Amen Thompson added a career-high 25 points as the Houston Rockets turned a third-quarter rally into a 137-114 victory over the host Washington Wizards on Tuesday....

Wagner beats Howard for first-ever NCAA Tournament victory
DAYTON, Ohio — Melvin Council Jr. scored 13 of his game-high 21 points in the first half and the Wagner Seahawks held off a furious charge from the Howard Bison to capture their first-ever NCAA Tournament win, 71-68, Tuesday night....

Magic take 41-point first-half lead, flatten Hornets
Cole Anthony scored 19 of his 21 points in the first half in a 112-92 romp past the visiting Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday night, securing a spot in at least the play-in round of the NBA postseason....

Ohio State needs late surge to top Cornell in NIT
Roddy Gayle Jr. and Jamison Battle each scored 17 points when second-seeded Ohio State survived pesky Cornell for an 88-83 win in a first-round game of the NIT on Tuesday in Columbus, Ohio....

North Texas knocks of No. 4 LSU to begin NIT title defense
CJ Noland scored 21 points and North Texas defeated fourth-seeded LSU 84-77 on Tuesday night in the first round of the NIT in Baton Rouge, La....

Claudell Harris Jr., Boston College knock off Providence in NIT
Claudell Harris Jr. scored a team-high 17 points to help visiting Boston College extend its season with a 62-57 victory over third-seeded Providence on Tuesday in the opening round of the NIT....

Kings ride Malik Monk's big game into road matchup with Raptors
Malik Monk took charge in overtime Monday as the Sacramento Kings completed a 4-2 homestand before starting a three-game road Wednesday night against the Toronto Raptors....

Indiana State 'shattered' over snub but preparing for SMU in NIT
Relegated to the NIT despite notable qualifications, Indiana State will host SMU in the first round Wednesday night in Terre Haute, Ind....

NBA-best Celtics aim to continue run, host Bucks
The Boston Celtics have an opportunity to extend their six-game winning streak when they face the visiting Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night....

Kansas star Kevin McCullar (knee) to miss NCAA Tournament
Kansas star guard Kevin McCullar will miss the NCAA Tournament due to a knee injury, coach Bill Self announced Tuesday....

Tyrese Haliburton, Pacers hope to end shooting slump vs. Pistons
Tyrese Haliburton has posted strong offensive numbers against the Detroit Pistons this season. Perhaps that will get him out of a shooting slump that has made him increasingly frustrated....

Caris LeVert, Cavs try to turn back Heat threat
The Miami Heat conclude a four-game road swing Wednesday when they visit the Cleveland Cavaliers in a matchup of teams jockeying for Eastern Conference playoff positioning....

Long Beach State surfs emotional wave into clash with No. 2 Arizona
An intriguing coaching matchup is at the center of Thursday's first-round clash between No. 2 seed Arizona and No. 15 Long Beach State in the NCAA Tournament West Region in Salt Lake City....

No. 1 Houston well aware of upset possibility vs. No. 16 Longwood
MEMPHIS — Houston players and coaches are saying all the right things about playing Longwood on Friday night in the first round of the NCAA Tournament's South Region....

No. 5 seed Wisconsin on guard against 31-win James Madison
NEW YORK — Wisconsin played in the final game before the NCAA Tournament field was revealed and won't take the court again until late Friday night....

Duke looking to answer 'wake-up call' vs. red-hot Vermont
NEW YORK — Only three schools have appeared in the Sweet Sixteen more often than Duke....

No. 2 seed Marquette hoping Tyler Kolek returns vs. Western Kentucky
No. 2 seed Marquette is hoping to get a big boost as it opens NCAA Tournament play Friday against No. 15 seed Western Kentucky in Indianapolis....

No. 1 UConn opens title defense vs. first-timer Stetson
NEW YORK — Even with the historic wins by UMBC and Fairleigh Dickinson over the past five NCAA Tournaments, the task for a No. 16 seed in a first-round game is a difficult one....