KANSAS CITY — — Freshman Kasparas Jakucionis scored a season-high 23 points, Tomislav Ivisic had 21 points and 10 rebounds and Illinois beat No. 19 Arkansas 90-77 on Thursday in the Thanksgiving Hoops Showcase.
Jakucionis hit two free throws to give Illinois a double-digit lead with 3:49 remaining in the game. Arkansas had a turnover and a missed jumper on its next two possessions and Jakucionis hit an open 3-pointer to make it 85-71 at 2:42.
NASSAU, Bahamas — — Paige Bueckers scored 29 points, Azzi Fudd added 18 and No. 2 UConn defeated No. 18 Mississippi 73-60 in the final of the Baha Mar Women’s Championship on Wednesday night.
Bueckers had 15 points and Fudd 12 on combined 11-of-14 shooting in the second half as the Huskies regained control after almost blowing a 21-point lead in the third quarter.
HENDERSON, Nev. — — Reigan Richardson scored a career-high 35 points to lead No. 13 Duke past No. 8 Oklahoma 109-99 in overtime on Wednesday in the championship game of the Ball Dawgs Classic.
Oklahoma overcame a first-half, 15-point deficit to tie the game with 4:45 left in the game, and forced overtime with Payton Verhulst’s 3-pointer at the buzzer. But Duke outscored the Sooners 15-5 in OT.
NASSAU, Bahamas — — Mikay Williams scored 24 points and Aneesah Morrow had 20 points and 15 rebounds to lead No. 7 LSU to an 82-65 win over No. 20 N.C. State on Wednesday to win the Baha Mar Pink Flamingo Championship.
The Tigers never trailed after Morrow hit back-to-back jumpers late in the first quarter. And after Saniya Rivers tied the game for N.C. State at 17, Moore made two free throws to put LSU in front for good. Kailyn Gilbert, the star in Monday’s one-point win over Washington, followed with a 3-pointer.
NASSAU, Bahamas — — Chaz Lanier made seven 3-pointers and scored 25 points — all in the first half — as No. 11 Tennessee cruised past No. 13 Baylor 77-62 on Friday night to win the Baha Mar Championship title.
Lanier took the drama out of the game early, making five 3-pointers in the first four minutes to carry the Volunteers (6-0) to a 16-2 lead. His final 3 just before the halftime buzzer gave Tennessee a 47-20 advantage.
DALLAS – Kroger’s Simple Truth brand and sports media company 4PT will team up to title the Thanksgiving Day showdown between Arkansas and Illinois in Kansas City. The Simple Truth Thanksgiving Classic presented by 4PT features No. 21 Arkansas vs. No. 20 Illinois tipping at 3 p.m. CT at T-Mobile Center live on CBS and streamed on Paramount+.
Kroger is the largest grocery in the United States and its Simple Truth brand – boasting products made without unwanted ingredients – has become extremely popular with consumers.
4PT is dedicated to providing valuable insights, tools, resources, and unbiased content to help athletes maximize their playing time. The 4playingtime.com website offers a variety of content, including the latest recruiting news, expert articles, and interviews with top coaches and players.
“We’re excited to be the presenting partner of the Thanksgiving Classic between two top-tier programs, Arkansas and Illinois,” said Niko Bossinakis, Founder of 4 Playing Time (4PT). “Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, reflection, and unity, and we’re especially thankful for the opportunity to support athletes in achieving their dreams.”
Both teams are expected to compete their respective conference championships this season. Arkansas has high expectations in the Southeastern Conference with Hall of Fame coach John Calipari taking the reins in Fayetteville for the first time. He looks to turn the Razorbacks into a national contender once again. Year in and year out, Brad Underwood has kept Illinois at the top of the Big Ten and a national powerhouse.
The matchup promises to be worthy of its coveted CBS timeslot, following the Bears-Lions NFL game on the national holiday. The game marks the earliest college basketball game broadcast by the network and is expected to be the most watched college basketball game this season.
Tickets for the Simple Truth Thanksgiving Classic presented by 4PT are on-sale at T-MobileCenter.com and on the AXS app.
DALLAS — — Jayden Nunn had 16 points while Norchad Omier had a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds as eighth-ranked Baylor bounced back from a season-opening blowout loss and held on to beat No. 16 Arkansas 72-67 on Saturday night.
The Bears (1-1) never trailed five nights after their 101-63 loss to sixth-ranked Gonzaga. There were three ties in their second game, and Nunn hit go-ahead baskets each time. His 3-pointer with 15:46 left put them ahead to stay.
