College Basketball Roundup : Memphis State Claims Metro Title

Baskerville Holmes scored 17 points Monday night and fourth-ranked Memphis State clinched the Metro Conference regular-season championship with a 78-63 victory over Southern Mississippi at Hattiesburg, Miss.

The Tigers (23-2, 12-1) saw a 38-29 halftime lead dwindle to 39-33, but scored nine straight points and the Eagles (7-19, 3-10) never got back in the game.

Holmes, who also had six rebounds, was backed by 15 points from William Bedford. Kenny Siler and Michael Jett had 12 points each for the Eagles.

Connecticut 74, Boston College 68--Alvin Frederick and Earl Kelley scored on three-point plays in the final minutes at Newton, Mass., and the Huskies surprised the Eagles in a Big East Conference game.

The Huskies (13-13, 6-9) led, 59-58, but scored seven straight points, including Frederick’s three-pointer. Boston College (18-9, 7-9) closed to 70-68 before Kelley’s three-point play clinched the victory with 28 seconds left.

Kelley and Ray Broxton each scored 21 points for Connecticut.

Va. Commonwealth 78, Old Dominion 66--The Rams outscored the Monarchs, 14-1, to start the second half and pulled away to clinch the Sun Belt Conference regular-season championship at Norfolk, Va.

The Rams (22-5, 12-2) trailed, 33-32, at halftime before Calvin Duncan scored eight of his 18 points to spark the rally.

Mark Davis had 18 points for Old Dominion (17-10, 9-5).

Loyola Chicago 86, Oral Roberts 77--Alfrederick Hughes scored 25 points and Andre Battle added 21 as the Ramblers defeated the Titans in a Midwest City Conference game at Chicago for their 13th consecutive victory.

Andre Moore had 12 points and 15 rebounds for Loyola (21-5, 13-1). Marc Acres scored 32 points for the Titans (12-14, 8-6).

Detroit 82, Oklahoma City 65--Keith Gray scored 17 points and the Titans turned back the Chiefs in a Midwest City Conference victory at Detroit to clinch their first winning season since 1979-80.

The Titans (15-11, 8-6) never trailed, building a 35-24 halftime edge. Marvin Owens had 27 points for Oklahoma City (6-19, 1-13).

E. Tennessee 70, Mississippi 64--Mark Dent scored 23 points and the Buccaneers scored 11 straight points in overtime to upset the Rebels at Oxford, Miss.

The game was originally scheduled for Dec. 17, but the plane carrying East Tennessee (9-18) crash landed in Alabama.

Joe Ayers scored 23 points for Ole Miss (11-14).

Virginia Tech 78, South Carolina 67--Dell Curry scored 23 points and the Hokies knocked off the Gamecocks in a Metro Conference game at Columbia, S.C.