Xavier boosts tourney hopes with win over No. 13 Creighton

CINCINNATI (AP) — Paul Scruggs scored 23 points and Zach Freemantle added 17 helping Xavier bolster its NCAA Tournament hopes with a 77-69 victory over No. 13 Creighton.

Freemantle also had 10 rebounds for Xavier for his fifth straight double-double. Damien Jefferson led Creighton with 19 points and Marcus Zegarowski had 15.

Mitch Ballock and Denzel Mahoney each had 11 points for the Bluejays who saw their four-game winning streak snapped.

Akinwole, Ferrarini carry Omaha past Denver 80-76

DENVER (AP) — Ayo Akinwole had 17 points to lead five Nebraska Omaha players in double figures as the Mavericks narrowly beat Denver 80-76.

Nick Ferrarini added 13 points for the Mavericks. La’Mel Robinson chipped in 12, Matt Pile scored 12 and Kyle Luedtke had 12.

Jase Townsend led the Pioneers with 22 points.

Wright, late run help Colorado beat UCLA 70-61

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — McKinley Wright IV had 26 points, six assists and five rebounds, and Colorado used a 15-1 run late to beat UCLA 70-61 for its third consecutive win.

Evan Battey added 12 points for Colorado (19-7, 13-6 Pac-12) and Jeriah Horne scored 10.

Johnny Juzang hit a jumper and then Tyger Campbell made a 3-pointer to give UCLA (17-6, 13-4) a 57-55 lead with 8:11 to play, but the Bruins committed six turnovers and were outscored 15-4 from there.

Juzang finished with 25 points and Jaylen Clark scored 10 for UCLA.

Colorado St. beats Air Force 72-49

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) — Isaiah Stevens had 19 points and David Roddy recorded 19 points and eight rebounds as Colorado State easily beat Air Force 72-49. A.J. Walker led the Falcons with 13 points.

Scott carries Portland State over Northern Colorado 73-65

GREELEY, Colo. (AP) — James Scott had 19 points and six assists as Portland State topped Northern Colorado 73-65. Daylen Kountz led the Bears with 23 points.