Chicago St. @ Texas St.—Another meeting of two of the friends found DJ Brower’s Chicago State Cougars visiting Vernell Strom’s Texas State Bobcats in a game between two of the teams tied atop Conference U standings. Throughout the first half the lead shifted back-and-forth with Texas State eking out a 41-35 lead at the break. The Aggies used their home court advantage to pull away in the 2nd half and cruise to a 86-77 triumph. Texas State’s PG Gilbert Lemeke tossed in 19 points and PF Kebu Dupay added 18. For Chicago State, PF Robert Allocco led all scorers with 23 while SF Gavin Johnson hauled down 13 boards. Texas State mpw has a 6 game win streak. (Texas State: 14-6, 8-1; Chicago State: 11-9, 7-2)
Cal-Davis @ Utah Valley—This game was tight most all the way with 23 lead changes and 14 ties. Utah Valley held a slim 39-38 halftime lead, but it wasn’t until the final portion of the 2nd half that the Wolverines were able to pull away and drop an 85-69 loss on Cal-Davis. PF Jeremy Wolthers scored 18 for Cal-Davis. PG Billy Felix scored 13 while dishing out 10 assists for Utah Valley. (7-13, 4-5)
Grand Canyon @ Wofford—Wofford used a stingy defense to defeat Grand Canyon 62-49. The Terriers forced the Antelopes into 23 turnovers. PG Alton Johnson scored 13 for Wofford. (9-11, 4-5)
Jacksonville @ Nebraska-Omaha—The Dolphins used sharp shooting to get on to and stay there. By the end of the first half they led 43-31 and then held off the Mavericks to achieve a 74-66 road win. PF Maurice Braun was the top scorer for Jacksonville with 15 points. (7-13, 4-5)
Lamar @ Chicago St.—Chicago State jumped out to a lead and by the half was on top 39-28. They continued their dominance in the 2nd half and finished with a 75-56 beatdown of the Cardinals with whom they were tied for 2nd place in the conference before the game began. PF Robert Allocco scored 23 for the 2nd straight game for Chicago State. (12-9, 8-2)
Texas St. @ Howard—Texas State came into the game in sole possession of first place and one game ahead of Howard. But they were unable to control the potent offense of Howard and trailed 40-27 at the half and couldn’t recover, losing 80-68. PF Kebu Dupay led Texas State’s scoring with 16. For Howard SG Kyle Fisher scored 20 and SF Antonio Stallings scored 18 with 9 rebounds. The loss put the Bobcats back into a 3-way tie for first place in the conference with Howard and Chicago State. (14-7, 8-2)
Nebraska-Omaha @ Cal-Davis—The Aggies used their home court advantage to lead wire-to-wire enroute to a 74-64 victory. C Casey Givens scored 20 points to top the scoring for Cal-Davis. (8-13, 5-5)
Lafayette @ Jacksonville—Jacksonville poured it on offensively in the first half and held a commanding 49-34 advantage at the break. The Dolphins then failed to stop the Leopards defensively in the 2nd half and fell behind before rallying late to gain a slim 82-79 victory. PG Reggie Scholl carried the Dolphins offensively with 26 points. (8-13, 5-5)
Wofford @ Florida Gulf Coast—Playing the last place Eagles, Wofford completely folded in the first half. By the end of the half they trailed 50-25. The Terriers tried to come back in the 2nd half but the difference was just too great and they tumbled to a 79-65 loss. The Terriers defense was so bad that Florida Gulf Coast made just 5 turnovers. C Jamaal Hobbs scored 12 points for Wofford. (9-12, 4-6)
Injury: SG Victor Griffin of Wofford strained his back and will miss practices but is expected to be ready for the Terriers next game.