Utah coach Rick Majerus missed Saturday’s game at Brigham Young to attend the funeral of the stepfather of former All-America Andre Miller.
Majerus said in a statement that he felt obligated when Albert Robinson’s family asked him to speak at the funeral Saturday morning in Los Angeles.
He said Miller’s mother, Andrea Robinson, offered to help care for Majerus’ mother when she was sick with cancer two years ago.
“I have been fortunate to have had a special relationship with Andrea Miller, as well as with Andre and Robbie, and have shared many special moments with them,” Majerus said.
Assistant Kerry Rupp took over for Majerus as the Utes (14-4, 2-1 Mountain West) ended Brigham Young’s home winning streak at 44 games with a 79-75 victory over the Cougars (13-5, 2-1) behind 17 points from Marc Jackson and 12 points and 12 rebounds by Britton Johnsen.
It’s been a long time
UCLA’s 80-69 loss Saturday to California marked the first time in 55 years the Bruins had lost six in a row. UCLA’s last losing streak of that length was during the 1947-48 season, the year before John Wooden took over as coach..
On the bright side for the Bruins, Jason Kapono scored 23 points to move into fourth place on the school’s career scoring list with 1,861 points–trailing only Don MacLean, Lew Alcindor and Reggie Miller.
Durham hits 600
Hugh Durham, who used to coach at Florida State and Georgia, became the 10th active coach to reach 600 career wins when Jacksonville beat Gardner-Webb 87-75.
Durham joined Jim Phelan, Bob Knight, Lou Henson, Eddie Sutton, John Chaney, Lute Olson, Mike Krzyzewski, Jim Calhoun and Jim Boeheim as the only active coaches with 600 victories.
RESULTS, SATURDAY’S SYNOPSIS
#2 Pittsburgh 65 vs. Georgetown 64 Julius Page made a free throw with :00.4 left to cap a rally as the Panthers (15-1, 5-0 Big East) edged the Hoyas (10-5, 2-3).
#3 Duke 91 vs. Georgia Tech 71
Dahntay Jones scored 21 points as the Blue Devils (13-2, 4-2) avoided their 1st 3-game ACC losing streak in 7 years.
#4 Texas 76 vs. #21 Missouri 55
Brandon Mouton had 20 points as the Longhorns (13-2, 4-0 Big 12) pulled away from the Tigers (11-4, 2-2).
#7 Oklahoma 67 at Baylor 54
Kevin Bookout scored 18 points as the Sooners (13-3, 4-1 Big 12) beat the Bears (9-7, 0-5) for the 17th straight time.
#8 Kentucky 63 at #15 Alabama 46
Gerald Fitch scored 16 points and the Wildcats (15-3, 5-0 SEC) beat the slumping Crimson Tide (12-5, 5-4).
#9 Louisville 72 at Tennessee 69
Kendall Dartez made a jumper in the final minute as the Cardinals (14-1) rallied to win their 13th in a row.
#11 Connecticut 74 vs. Villanova 65
Rashad Anderson scored 18 points to lead the Huskies (12-3, 3-1 Big East) over the Wildcats (12-6, 5-1).
#12 Maryland 52 at Clemson 47
Drew Nicholas had 14 points and the Terps (12-4, 5-1 ACC) won their 10th in a row over the Tigers (11-4, 1-4).
#19 Georgia 85 vs. #24 Auburn 79
Ezra Williams scored 19 points to lead the Bulldogs (12-4, 4-1 SEC) over the Tigers (15-, 4-2).
#22 Mississippi St. 67 vs. LSU 64
Michael Ignerski scored 15 points as the Bulldogs (12-4, 2-3 SEC) went the final 5:42 without a field goal.
#23 Oregon 76 vs. Washington St. 66
Luke Ridnour had 28 points as the Ducks (14-4, 4-3 Pac-10) rallied in the 2nd half to beat the Cougars ( 5-12, 0-8).
#25 California 80 vs. UCLA 69
Joe Shipp had 23 points to lead the Bears (14-2, 7-0 Pac-10) over the struggling Bruins (4-11, 2-5).
N. Illinois 61 at Bowling Green 46
P.J. Smith scored 20 points as the Huskies (9-8, 5-2 MAC) beat the Falcons (9-7, 5-3).
Valparaiso 72 at Oakland 70
Joaquin Gomes’ 2 FTs with :04.5 left gave the Crusaders (10-7, 5-0) the Mid-Con win over the Grizzlies (8-9, 2-3).
Chicago State 64 at Southern Utah 65
Kevin Jones dropped his 1st game as coach as the Thunderbirds (8-9, 3-2 Mid-Con) held off the Cougars (3-16, 0-5).
W. Illinois 62 at IUPUI 76
Josh Mullins scored 17 points as the Jaguars (9-11, 3-2 Mid-Con) pulled away from the Leathernecks (6-11, 2-3).
Wichita State 64 at Bradley 60
Despite 32 points from Phillip Gilbert, the Braves (7-11, 3-4 MVC) lost to the Shockers (11-5, 6-1).
Aurora 72 at Eastern Illinois 80
Henry Domercant’s 18 points led the Panthers (7-11) past the Spartans (15-4), who had a 9-game win streak snapped.
Illinois State 74 at Evansville 85
Ian Hanavan scored 23 points and the Purple Aces (7-9, 3-4 MVC) beat the struggling Redbirds (1-15, 0-8).
Indiana State 48 at Southern Illinois 60
Jermaine Dearman had 22 points as the Salukis (12-4, 7-1 MVC) won their 21st straight home game.
