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LSU Ends Auburn’s Streak

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From Staff and Wire Reports

Jabari Smith’s putback and ensuing free throw with 16 seconds to play Wednesday night gave No. 12 Louisiana State a 55-53 victory over No. 19 Auburn that ended the Tigers’ 30-game winning streak at Auburn, Ala.

The victory clinched the Southeastern Conference West Division title for the Tigers (24-4, 11-4), who last won a share of the title in 1990 before the league split into divisions.

Auburn (21-7, 9-6), the defending SEC champion, played without standout forward Chris Porter, who was suspended Sunday for taking $2,500 from a sports agent.

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No. 4 Duke 92, Clemson 78--Shane Battier made seven three-point baskets and finished with 26 points and the Blue Devils (23-4, 14-1 in the Atlantic Coast Conference) cruised past the Tigers (10-18, 4-11) at Clemson, S.C.

No. 6 Ohio State 79, Penn State 73--Michael Redd had 22 points and George Reese added 16 as the Buckeyes (21-5, 12-3) moved into first place in the Big Ten with a victory over the Nittany Lions (13-13, 5-10) at State College, Pa.

No. 8 Florida 87, South Carolina 67--Teddy Dupay scored all 14 of his points in the second half to help the Gators (23-5, 12-3) clinch at least a share of the SEC East Division title with a victory over the Gamecocks (12-16, 4-11) at Gainesville, Fla.

No. 9 Syracuse 73, Notre Dame 71--Ryan Blackwell scored 24 points and the Orangemen (24-3, 13-2) clinched a share of the Big East title at South Bend, Ind. The Fighting Irish (16-13, 7-8) were hurt in the closing seconds when referees assessed a technical foul on the crowd for throwing objects onto the court.

No. 10 Iowa State 87, Texas Tech 79--Marcus Fizer blitzed the Red Raiders (12-14, 3-12 in the Big 12) for 35 points and the Cyclones (25-4, 13-2) clinched a share of their first conference title in 55 years with a victory at Lubbock, Texas.

No. 11 Tennessee 73, Arkansas 66--Tony Harris scored 18 of his 23 points in the second half to help the sluggish Volunteers (23-5, 11-4 in the SEC) bounce the Razorbacks (14-14, 6-9) at Knoxville, Tenn.

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No. 13 Oklahoma State 96, Colorado 60--Desmond Mason finished with 29 points as the Cowboys (23-4, 12-3 in the Big 12) defeated the Buffaloes at Stillwater, Okla.

No. 17 Maryland 85, Florida State 70--Steve Blake scored nine of his career-high 17 points during a 12-0 second-half run as the Terrapins (22-7, 11-4 in the ACC) pulled away from the Seminoles (11-15, 6-9) at College Park, Md.

No. 21 Oklahoma 77, Texas A&M; 59--Eduardo Najera scored 20 points at College Station, Texas, as the Sooners (23-5, 11-4 in the Big 12) improved to 13-1 against the Aggies (7-19, 3-12).

In other games: Joseph Forte scored 19 points as North Carolina (18-11, 9-6 in the ACC) kept its hopes alive for a 30th consecutive 20-win season by holding off Georgia Tech (12-16, 4-11), 74-72, in overtime at Chapel Hill, N.C. . . . Courtney Alexander banked in a half-court shot at the buzzer to lift Fresno State (20-9, 10-3 in the Western Athletic Conference) to a 77-74 win against San Jose State (14-4, 5-8) at Fresno. Alexander had 40 points, 29 in the second half.

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