College Basketball Highlights: The Best Moments from Last Night

Men’s and women’s college basketball fixtures filled the night with exhilarating plays and unforgettable moments. Whether you missed the games or just need a recap, we’ve got you covered with the standout performances and thrilling finishes.

West Georgia Outlasts Troy in Double Overtime

In a thrilling encounter, West Georgia edged out Troy in a nail-biting double-overtime showdown, ending 93-89. Despite the loss, Troy’s Thomas Dowd showcased an impressive performance, scoring 20 points and pulling down 14 rebounds—tying him for the top spot in Division I rebounds for the night. His clutch 3-pointer forced the second overtime, highlighting his pivotal role.

On the other side, Victor Valdes, the 6-foot-7 junior forward, stole the spotlight with a remarkable 29 points, matching the highest scorer in D-I. As the clock dwindled in the second overtime, Valdes secured a critical three-pointer to tie the game, but West Georgia prevailed, thanks to the efforts of freshman guard Chas Lewless. Lewless led his team with 26 points, going 5-for-6 at the free-throw line and significantly contributed to the Wolves’ overall solid rebounding game.

Despite being the underdogs as a second-year Division I team, West Georgia’s victory brings their record to 5-3, while Troy struggles at 5-5 after facing several tough losses this season.

Villanova Claims Sixth Straight Victory

In another highlight, Villanova came out strong against Temple, particularly impressive in the later stages of the game, leading to a final score of 74-56. Initially, the game was tightly contested, with Aiden Tobiason from Temple demonstrating agility with a stunning dunk that caught the crowd off guard.

However, Villanova built momentum with a crucial 13-2 run midway through the second half, flipping a 35-32 deficit into a commanding lead. With their sixth consecutive win, Villanova now boasts a 6-1 record and prepares to face Saint Joseph’s in the finals of the Big 5 Classic.

Fatima Diakhate’s Defensive Showcase

In a standout defensive effort, Fatima Diakhate of Pitt put on a show against Central Connecticut, accumulating 8 blocks in the team’s 68-43 victory. While scoring just 6 points, her defensive prowess marked a significant contribution to the game, tying for the second-most blocks in a Division I game this season. Her previous average had been a modest 1.6 blocks per game, making this performance all the more impressive.

Sayvia Sellers Shines for Washington

Sayvia Sellers of Washington had a dominant night in their 80-54 victory over San Jose State, matching the D-I lead with 29 points while securing 6 rebounds and contributing across the board. Shooting an efficient 9-for-16 and hitting 5-of-10 from three-point range, Sellers continues to elevate her game, now averaging 19.1 points per game. With Washington’s perfect season thus far at 8-0, they face their toughest test against No. 16 USC soon.

Alabama Wins Ugly Over Kennesaw State

Alabama managed to secure a 79-65 win over Kennesaw State, though the score doesn’t tell the full story. The game was marred by sloppiness and inefficiency, as Coach Kristy Curry publicly criticized her team during halftime for their lack of focus and rampant turnovers. Despite an early lead, Bama struggled to maintain their form, particularly in the second and third quarters, where they failed to make any three-pointers.

Despite the underwhelming performance, standout player Jessica Timons shined offensively, leading her team with 21 points and a perfect 10-for-10 from the free-throw line.

Adrianna Smith Dominates for Maine

Adrianna Smith, a senior forward for Maine, had another stellar outing, scoring 24 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in their 54-45 win against Boston University. This marks her fifth double-double of the season and showcases her vital role in Maine’s offensive strategy. After bouncing back from a knee injury that sidelined her for the previous season, Smith is proving to be a contender in the America East Conference, currently ranking second in points and rebounds.

Stay tuned as college basketball continues to heat up; there are always new stories brewing on the courts across the nation!