Callum McRae got his first conference start of the season for University of California Riverside and rewarded the Highlanders coaching personnel with a team high 13 points on a perfect 6 from 6 shooting in the 69-61 loss at Cal State Fullerton.
That performance led to a second start a couple of days later and on that occasion the Highlanders (1-3) secured its first Big West Conference victory with a 75-71 home win against Hawaii. Once again the former Palmerston North Boys High big man was highly efficient scoring 12 points (6 from 8 shooting) to go with 5 rebounds.
In the eagerly awaited clash between the No1 ranked Duke University Blue Devils and University of Virginia Cavaliers it was the Blue Devils that prevailed on their home court 72-70. Jack Salt added 5 points to 4 rebounds in 26 minutes as Virginia (16-1) suffered its first loss of the season.
Jackson Stent scored 8 points (2/5FG, 4/4FT) but Houston Baptist came unstuck against Sam Houston State University going down 71-65 and now sit 1-4 in the Southland Conference.
Yanni Wetzell came up with 7 points and 4 rebounds but Vanderbilt University Commodores slipped to a fifth straight loss in Southeastern Conference play with a 71-55 home loss to No 22 Mississippi State.
Sam Timmins produced 6 points, 4 rebounds and a pair of blocks and steals as Washington University Huskies beat Stanford 80-64. Washington are unbeaten with five straight wins in the Pac-12 Conference.
Yuat Alok, the former Rangitoto College forward, has suffered a season ending hand injury. In addition, Alok has moved to Central Florida University from Texas Christian with immediate effect.
LACEY LOWDOWN 