ST. LOUIS (AP) β Wichita State has become the second team in NCAA Division I men’s basketball history to open a season with 34 straight wins, and the first since UNLV in 1990-91. The Shockers did it by winning the Missouri Valley Conference title game, downing Indiana State 83-69. Fred VanVleet scored 22 points for the Shockers, while tournament MVP Tekele Cotton drained four 3-points to finish with 20 points.
COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) β The fifth-ranked Virginia Cavaliers were upset by Maryland 75-69 in overtime as Seth Allen scored five of his 20 points in the extra session. Dez Wells finished with 18 points in the Terrapins’ final home game as a member of the ACC before leaving for the Big Ten.
LOS ANGELES (AP) β The Oklahoma City Thunder have lost their share of the NBA’s Western Conference lead following a lackluster defensive performance in Los Angeles. Jodie Meeks scored 24 of his career-high 42 points in the second half as the Lakers surprised the Thunder 114-110. The Thunder fell a half-game behind the Spurs despite Kevin Durant’s triple-double of 27 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists.
UNDATED (AP) β The Indiana Pacers still lead the NBA’s Eastern Conference by 1 Β½ games over Miami. Monta Ellis and Devin Harris scored 20 points apiece as Dallas handed Indiana its fourth straight loss, 105-94. Joakim Noah (JOH’-keem NOH’-ah) had 20 points and 12 rebounds and D.J. Augustin added 22 points as the Bulls outlasted Miami 95-88 in overtime at Chicago.
UNDATED (AP) β The NHL has new conference leaders following wins by Boston and St. Louis. The Bruins lead the East by one point over Pittsburgh after Torey Krug scored to spark a Boston’s four-goal third period in a 5-2 win at Florida. T.J. Oshie (OH’-shee) scored once in regulation and once in a shootout as the Blues beat Minnesota 3-2 to move one game ahead of West-leading Anaheim.
