Wake Forest, Marquette Prevail

Taron Downey, playing eight days after an emergency appendectomy, scored a career-high 20 points to lead No. 20 Wake Forest to an 85-76 victory over Memphis on Thursday night in the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic basketball tournament.

Downey made three three-point baskets in a 3:15 span of the second half, the last two part of a 13-3 run that gave Wake Forest a 73-59 lead.

Justin Gray had 12 points for Wake Forest, which won its 10th consecutive season opener.

In the second game, Travis Diener scored 18 points and No. 23 Marquette, despite not making a basket over the final 4:20, beat St. John’s, 52-45.

Marquette shot 29.6% (16 for 54); the Red Storm shot 31.4% (16 for 51). The Golden Eagles had 20 turnovers, two more than St. John’s.

Diener was nine for 10 at the free-throw line but was only three for 11 from the field.