Associated Press
The ACC roundup …
CORAL GABLES, Fla. ó James Dews scored 16 points as Miami shook off an early challenge from winless North Carolina Central for a 76-42 victory on Saturday.
The Eagles (0-16) stayed within single digits of the Hurricanes (10-3) in the first half and kept it as close as 15-12 after Stevy Worah-Ozimo’s field goal with 8:50 left.
Down by six at halftime, N.C. Central, a former Division II team in the CIAA, cut Miamis lead to 31-29 after Vincent Davis scored a basket just 2:50 minutes into the second half. Davis led North Carolina Central with 10 points.
But Miami followed with 11 unanswered points during a 2:11 minute span early in the second half to claim a 42-29 lead. Dews hit two 3-pointers during the Hurricanes’ spurt to break open a close game.
DeQuan Jones scored nine points in a 17-5 run as Miami increased its lead to 62-38 with 5:31 left.
No. 22 Xavier 84, Virginia 70
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. ó B.J. Raymond scored 24 points and hit four of the Musketeers nine 3-pointers as they built a big early lead before hanging on.
Xavier (11-2) missed their first nine shots, but eventually went on a 23-2 run, with the last 19 coming in succession, and cruised to a 42-26 advantage at the break.
Kenny Frease added 13 points and eight rebounds for Xavier. Dante Jackson also had 13.
Sylven Landesberg led Virginia (6-5) with 25 points and Mike Scott had 16.
Florida State 69, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 48
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. ó Toney Douglas scored 17 points and Derwin Kitchen added 13 as Florida State beat Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 69-48.
The Seminoles (13-2) closed the game by outscoring the Islanders 29-14 over the final 11 minutes. Florida State opened the door for the comeback by missing 13 of its first 15 shots in the second, but the Seminoles were 12 of 18 from the floor in their decisive run.
The game-clinching run came after the Islanders (6-8) cut a 12-point halftime deficit to 40-34.
Alabama 88, Ga. Tech 77
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. ó Playing like he did during his all-conference season three years ago, Ronald Steele scored 23 points and had 10 assists to lead Alabama to an 88-77 victory over Georgia Tech.
Alabama (10-3) used the fast break to jump out to a 19-point halftime lead and led by as many as 30, before the Yellow Jackets (8-5) used a full-court press to rally in the final 10 minutes.