By John Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
NCAA top ranked Gonzaga (9-1) is no longer undefeated. The Bulldogs suffered a 76-73 loss to #7 Tennessee (7-1). Yves Pons was a victim of a tremendous block, but remained a Volunteer starter and helped out with seven points, six rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block in 25 minutes. Serb Filip Petrusev had five points and four rebounds for the losing side at Phoenix.
Promising Italian sophomore Alessandro Lever notched 13 points, three rebounds and two assists before fouling out in Grand Canyon’s (5-4) 74-66 loss to #6 Nevada (10-0). Latvian Roberts Blumbergs also played but failed to score in three minutes.
After eight straight double-digit scoring games, Matej Kavas was held to nine points. The Slovenian junior guard also grabbed seven rebounds in 34 minutes on Sunday during Seattle’s (9-3) 70-62 loss to Washington (7-3).
Brit Kavell Bigby-Williams logged his second NCAA double-double with 14 points and ten rebounds. The senior forward also blocked two shots in LSU’s (7-2) 91-50 domination against Incarnate Word (5-6).
Spaniard Ruben Guerrero went off for 18 points, nine rebounds, two blocks, one assist and one steal in 27 minutes. He led Samford (8-2) to a 77-59 win over Alabama A&M (0-9). Stefan Lakic added two points and three rebounds.
Dutch sophomore Matt Haarms finished up with ten points in Purdue (6-4) 72-68 defeat to Texas (6-3). The 21-year-old forward/center also notched four rebounds, one steal and one block in 26 minutes.
Italian freshman Guglielmo Caruso had eight points, seven rebounds, two assists and two blocks for Santa Clara (4-6) during the 82-54 victory against Sonoma State. Swede Henrik Jadersten added three rebounds and an assist.
Photo Credit: Tennessee