UCLA Comes Up Short Against No. 8 Purdue

Beth Jones made a three-point basket from the corner with 1.8 seconds left, lifting No. 8 Purdue to a 58-57 victory over UCLA on Saturday at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

Lisa Willis made two free throws to give the Bruins a 57-55 lead with 8.6 seconds left, but Erika Valek drove the length of the court and passed to Jones for the winning shot.

The shot helped Jones match a season-high 12 points as the Boilermakers (7-1) extended their winning streak to six games.

“I thought to myself, ‘We’re going to beat them,’ ” UCLA Coach Kathy Olivier said. “All we have to do is play defense for nine seconds. But we only played for 7.2 seconds, which wasn’t long enough.”

Nikki Blue scored 20 points for UCLA (2-3). Willis had career highs in points (20), rebounds (nine) and assists (four).

No. 10 Georgia 65, Middle Tennessee 50 -- The Bulldogs (6-1) took control at Athens, Ga., with a 21-2 run in the first half. Alexis Kendrick scored eight of her 21 points during the run.

No. 14 Oklahoma 79, Stephen F. Austin 52 -- The Sooners (8-0) overpowered the Ladyjacks (0-7) at Nacadoches, Texas, outscoring them in the paint, 26-6, in the first half. Maria Villarroel scored 24 points for Oklahoma.

No. 16 North Carolina 94, Wofford 40 -- The Tar Heels (7-1) made 10 of their first 13 shots and never looked back at Chapel Hill, N.C. In all, they shot 50% (33 of 66) while holding the Terriers (0-7) to 15-for-55 shooting.

No. 18 Louisiana State 86, Louisiana Monroe 48 -- Scholanda Hoston scored 23 points for the Tigers (4-2), who shot 58% at Baton Rouge. The Indians (2-4 shot only 29%.

No. 20 Virginia Tech 63, Maryland 43 -- Carrie Mason made a three-point basket to cap a 13-0 run that gave the Hokies (7-0) a 47-26 lead over the Terrapins (6-2) with 8:27 left at Blacksburg, Va.

No. 21 Utah 61, Washington State 51 -- The Utes (6-2) extended their home winning streak to 20 games by holding the Cougars (4-3) to 32% shooting. Utah has not lost to Washington State since 1978, and leads the series, 9-1.

No. 25 Michigan State 72, Toledo 49 -- The Spartans (6-1) were too strong at Toledo, dominating the low post to outscore the Rockets (4-3) in the paint, 36-8. The Rockets made only six of 27 shots in the second half.