Evans, No. 12 Colorado State beat short-handed Memphis

NCAA MEN’S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT ROUNDUP

NCAA_Colorado_St_Memphis_Basketball_28588--519ed_1091084801.jpg

Colorado State guard Jalen Lake, center, tries to keep possession against Memphis guard Colby Rogers, left, and guard P.J. Haggerty, right, during the second half in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday in Seattle. LINDSEY WASSON — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Image

SEATTLE >> Kyan Evans made a career-high six 3-pointers and scored 23 points to lead No. 12 seed Colorado State past fifth-seeded Memphis 78-70 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday.

Nique Clifford, the Mountain West Tournament MVP, had his quietest scoring night in a month, finishing with 14 points, eight on free throws. He added eight rebounds and six assists for the Rams (26-9), who extended their winning streak to 11 games and advanced to face either Maryland or Grand Canyon in the second round on Sunday.

This 12-over-5 result was no shocker, with Colorado State a 2 1/2-point favorite according to BetMGM Sportsbook. Coach Penny Hardaway’s Tigers (29-7) were not at full strength, with veteran guard and third-leading scorer Tyrese Hunter sidelined by a left foot injury.

Dain Dainja had 22 points and 12 rebounds for Memphis, ending the season with his third straight double-double. P.J. Haggerty, the American Athletic Conference Player of the Year, finished with 18 points.

Iowa State 82, Lipscomb 55 >> Milan Momcilovic scored 17 of his 20 points in the first half, and third-seeded Iowa State routed Lipscomb.

Alabama 90, Robert Morris 81 >> All-America guard Mark Sears scored 19 of his 22 points in the second half and second-seeded Alabama pulled away late to escape 15th-seeded Robert Morris.

Baylor 75, Mississippi State 72 >> Robert Wright scored 19 points, V.J. Edgecombe added 16 and No. 9 Baylor squeaked past No. 8 Mississippi State.

duke 93, mount st. mary’s 49 >> Tyrese Proctor had 19 points and freshman star Cooper Flagg returned from an ankle injury as No. 1 seed Duke beat Mount St. Mary’s.

Mississippi 71, North Carolina 64 >> Sean Pedulla made a critical 3-pointer with 52.8 seconds left, and Mississippi topped North Carolina after the Rebels squandered most of a 22-point lead in the second half.

Maryland 81, Grand Canyon 49 >> Julian Reese had 18 points and nine rebounds, and fourth-seeded Maryland pounded No. 13 seed Grand Canyon.

Florida 95, Norfolk State 69 >> First-team All-American Walter Clayton Jr. scored 23 points and Florida defeated Norfolk State, ensuring all four No. 1 seeds made it out of the first round unscathed.

Kentucky 76, Troy 57 >> Otega Oweh scored 20 points, Andrew Carr had 13 and third-seeded Kentucky beat Troy.

New Mexico 75, Marquette 66 >> Donovan Dent scored 21 points and No. 10 seed New Mexico took control late in the second half to defeat seventh-seeded Marquette.

Arizona 93, Akron 65 >> Jaden Bradley, Trey Townsend and Caleb Love hit 3-pointers within the first two minutes, and No. 4 seed Arizona easily dismissed 13th-seeded Akron.