COLLEGE BASKETBALL ROUNDUP : Purdue Upsets Connecticut in the Tipoff Classic, 73-69

Glenn Robinson of Purdue made his collegiate debut memorable by leading Purdue to a 73-69 victory over No. 16 Connecticut Saturday in the Tipoff Classic at Springfield, Mass.

Robinson, a 6-foot-8 sophomore, scored 30 points and dominated the game’s final 90 seconds for the Boilermakers.

Robinson sat out last season after failing to meet NCAA academic admission standards, but he said the year wait was worth it.

“He’s one of the great players you get once in a lifetime,” Purdue Coach Gene Keady said. “The last player I was around like that was when I was with Eddie Sutton at Arkansas and we had Sidney Moncrief. They’re rare. This kid has a chance to be a tremendous player.”

Robinson made 12 of 20 shots and grabbed nine rebounds. One of his misses led to his most spectacular basket, which came off an offensive rebound.

Purdue led, 63-62, when Robinson knifed through a double team only to miss the shot. He reached out with one hand and tapped the miss in and the Boilermakers led by three.

Brian Fair tied it for Connecticut with a long jump shot 16 seconds later, the last tie of the game.

Robinson missed a short jump shot with 55 seconds left and Cuonzo Martin was fouled when he grabbed the rebound. He made both free throws to give Purdue the lead for good.

Sophomore forward Donyell Marshall of Connecticut suffered a knee injury when Kevin Ollie, his teammate, landed on him after scoring with 17:19 to play.

GREAT ALASKA SHOOTOUT

Vanderbilt 83, Oregon 81--Bill McCaffrey scored 21 points to lead the Commodores (2-1) to third place at Anchorage.

Antoine Stoudamire scored 24 points for Oregon (1-2).

Alabama Birmingham 67, Tennessee Chattanooga 52--Stanley Jackson scored 25 points to lead the Blazers (2-1) to a fifth-place victory over Tennessee Chattanooga (1-2).

Alaska Anchorage 84, Dayton 70--Theo Mayhue scored 17 of his 26 points in the first half, leading Alaska Anchorage (3-2) to seventh place.

New Mexico State 86, Oregon 75--Eric Traylor scored 19 points and Sam Crawford and Tracey Ware scored 18 and 16, respectively, to lead the Aggies to a second-round victory Friday night.