No. 3 UConn 92, Sacred Heart 56
Alex Karaban led the way for UConn, scoring 20 points with a career-high seven blocked shots as the two-time defending champions started their season with a dominant 92-56 win over Sacred Heart in Storrs, Conn. Karaban shot an impressive 7-for-9 from the field, including 5-of-7 from beyond the arc, and added six rebounds and seven assists to complete an all-around performance.
Freshman Liam McNeeley contributed with 18 points and 10 rebounds, while Solo Ball added 16 points, making 4 of 7 3-point attempts. Michigan transfer Tarris Reed Jr. also impressed with a double-double, scoring 15 points and grabbing 11 boards. The Huskies blocked 13 shots and converted 41.9 percent of their 3-point attempts (13-for-31). Sacred Heart (0-2) was led by Amiri Stewart’s 13 points and Bryce Johnson’s 10 points.
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No. 11 Auburn 94, Vermont 43
Miles Kelly scored 21 points on a sizzling 7-for-9 from beyond the arc as Auburn routed Vermont 94-43 in its season opener in Auburn, Ala. Kelly, a transfer from Georgia Tech, led a balanced attack with five Tigers scoring in double figures. Denver Jones added 16 points, Chaney Johnson scored 13 with nine rebounds, Johni Broome had 12 points, and Chad Baker-Mazara contributed 11.
Auburn’s smothering defense limited Vermont’s offense, with TJ Long finishing with three points and Seth Joba leading the Catamounts (1-1) with eight.
No. 15 Creighton 99, UT Rio Grande Valley 86
Ryan Kalkbrenner exploded for a career-high 49 points, propelling Creighton to a 99-86 win over UT Rio Grande Valley in Omaha, Neb. The Big East preseason player of the year shot a scorching 20-for-22 from the field, including two 3-pointers, while adding 11 rebounds. Kalkbrenner moved past Kyle Korver on Creighton’s all-time scoring list, reaching sixth place with 1,820 points.
Steven Ashworth added 25 points, going a perfect 17-for-17 from the free-throw line. UT Rio Grande Valley’s Hasan Abdul Hakim scored 26 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.
No. 16 Arkansas 76, Lipscomb 60
Freshman Boogie Fland shone in his debut, scoring 17 points to lead Arkansas to a 76-60 win over Lipscomb in Fayetteville, Ark. Playing their first game under coach John Calipari, the Razorbacks relied on a strong defensive finish to secure the win. Johnell Davis added 15 points and Baye Fall scored 12 as Arkansas shot 56.7 percent from the field.
Lipscomb was led by Jacob Ognacevic with 16 points, while Gyasi Powell and Will Pruitt each added 12. The Bisons (1-1) struggled from the floor, shooting just 38.7 percent.
No. 17 Indiana 80, SIU Edwardsville 61
Mackenzie Mgbako scored a game-high 31 points, adding nine rebounds to help Indiana open its season with an 80-61 win over SIU Edwardsville in Bloomington, Ind. Mgbako was efficient, shooting 13-of-17 from the field and 4-of-5 from 3-point range. Malik Reneau and Oumar Ballo chipped in with 15 points each for the Hoosiers.
SIU Edwardsville’s Ray’Sean Taylor scored 17 points but struggled with accuracy, shooting just 7-for-22 from the floor and 3-for-10 from deep.
No. 25 Rutgers 75, Wagner 52
Dylan Harper made a strong debut with 20 points on 9-of-14 shooting, helping Rutgers cruise to a 75-52 victory over Wagner in Piscataway, N.J. Harper added four assists, three rebounds, and three steals. Freshman Lathan Sommerville contributed 11 points and eight rebounds, while Rutgers’ 20-0 first-half run helped put the game out of reach.
Wagner’s offense was led by Keyontae Lewis, who scored 12 points, and RJ Greene, who recorded eight points and seven rebounds.
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