Top-ranked UConn beats St. John’s 77-64, extends winning streak to 10 games

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NEW YORK (AP) — Cam Spencer scored 23 points, freshman Stephon Castle had a season-best 21 and top-ranked UConn pulled away from St. John’s for a 77-64 victory Saturday at Madison Square Garden.

Tristen Newton added 18 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists as the defending national champion Huskies (20-2, 10-1 Big East), playing without injured forward Alex Karaban, won their 10th straight game.

The winning streak began Dec. 23 with a 69-65 victory over St. John’s at home.

UConn guard Cam Spencer (12) dives for a loose ball as St. John's guards Chris Ledlum (8) and Jordan Dingle (3) reach in during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Peter K. Afriyie)

UConn guard Cam Spencer (12) dives for a loose ball as St. John’s guards Chris Ledlum (8) and Jordan Dingle (3) reach in during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Peter K. Afriyie)

Daniss Jenkins scored 19 for the scuffling Red Storm (13-9, 5-6), who have dropped five of six after opening 4-1 in conference play during their first season under Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino. Leading scorer Joel Soriano was held to six points on 2-of-6 shooting and four rebounds — well below his season averages.

NO. 9 MARQUETTE 91, GEORGETOWN 57

WASHINGTON (AP) — Kam Jones scored a career-high 31 points, Tyler Kolek had 17 points and eight assists and Marquette won its sixth straight game.

David Joplin scored 15 points and Oso Ighodaro added 10 points and 10 rebounds. Marquette (17-5, 8-3 Big East) forced 19 turnovers and outscored the Hoyas 35-5 in points off turnovers.

Rowan Brumbaugh scored 12 points to lead Georgetown (8-13, 1-9), which lost its sixth straight game. The 34-point loss is the largest home Big East defeat for the Hoyas.

TEXAS 77, NO. 25 TCU 66

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Max Abmas scored 19 of his 21 points after halftime, including the last 13 for Texas in a win over TCU.

Abmas put the Longhorns (15-7, 4-5 Big 12) ahead to stay with a three-point play with 3:25 left that broke a 64-all tie. That layup and free throw started a personal 11-0 run that included two 3-pointers, and he added a pair of free throws in the final minute.

Dylan Disu had 15 points for Texas, which snapped a two-game losing streak. Dillon Mitchell had 13 points and 11 rebounds.

Emanuel Miller had 15 points for the Horned Frogs (16-6, 5-4). Avery Anderson added 13, while Trevian Tennyson and Jakobe Coles each had 10.

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AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball