New Mexico forward Aaron Johnson, suspended since September for hitting police officers after a bar fight, rejoined the team Friday with coach Ritchie McKay satisfied he won’t cause any more trouble.
“Thank goodness for second chances,” Johnson said. “My Christmas came early.”
Johnson pleaded guilty Wednesday to misdemeanor resisting and assaulting police. He was sentenced to 364 days of unsupervised probation and a judge ordered him to stay away from alcohol for one year.
Gonzaga loses forward
Forward Josh Heytvelt will have surgery on his broken left ankle on Monday and likely will miss the rest of Gonzaga’s season.
The 6-foot-11-inch redshirt freshman broke his ankle while scrambling for a loose ball Wednesday night in No. 8 Gonzaga’s 65-63 loss to Connecticut in the championship game of the Maui Invitational.
Free throws
Tim Floyd won his first game as Southern California coach as Nick Young scored 25 points to carry the Trojans (1-2) to a 69-51 victory in the consolation bracket of the Great Alaska Shootout. . . . McKendree College’s Harry Statham became the first coach in college basketball with 900 career victories as the Bearcats beat Freed-Hardeman University 73-69 in the Union University Thanksgiving Classic in Jackson, Tenn.
FRIDAY’S GAMES
RESULTS, SYNOPSIS
#1 Duke 70 vs. #11 Memphis 67
Shelden Williams matched career high with 30 pts, including game-winning tip-in with :32 left, to give Blue Devils (5-0) win over Tigers (3-1) in championship game of NIT Season Tip-Off.
Liberty 51 at #7 Kentucky 81
Bobby Perry, making 2nd career start, scored career-high 22 pts to lead Wildcats (4-1), who remained unbeaten in 6 games vs. Big South opponents. Larry Blair’s 26 pts led Flames (1-2).
#10 Boston Col. 87 vs. Drake 84
Jared Dudley scored game-high 23 pts, including 11 of 12 from FT line, to lead Eagles (4-0), who trailed until 10-0 run in last 3:51, into title game of Las Vegas Holiday Invitational.
Florida State 66 at #14 Florida 74
Taurean Green scored 15 pts, all from FT line, and Gators (5-0) overcame 17-point deficit to beat Seminoles (2-1). Al Horford added 14 pts, 9 rebs for Florida.
#16 UCLA 57 vs. Drexel 56
Jordan Farmar made 2nd of 2 FTs with :00.8 to play to give Bruins (4-1) 3rd place in NIT Season Tip-Off tourney. Arron Afflalo’s 2 FTs with :06.8 left had tied game for UCLA.
Siena 77 vs. #17 Syracuse 96
Gerry McNamara hit 6 3-ptrs and scored season-high 22 pts as Orange (4-2) snapped 2-game losing streak at expense of Saints (0-2), who were led by Antoine Jordan’s 29 pts.
Appalachian St. 78 at #24 W. Forest 91
Trent Strickland had career-high 25 pts to lead Demon Deacons (5-1) past Mountaineers (2-1). Wake extended nation’s 5th-longest home winning streak with 20th straight victory.
Loy. Marymount 65 at #25 Wash. 112
Brandon Roy scored 19 pts and Ryan Appleby added 18, all on 3-pt shooting, leading Huskies (6-0) to 28th straight home win with aid of school-record 65 1st-half pts.
Ala.-Anchorage 72 vs. S. Illinois 64
Kemmy Burgess scored 18 pts as host Division II Seawolves (5-2) never trailed to surprise Salukis (1-2) in consolation bracket of Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout.
Marquette 73 vs. Oral Roberts 70
Ousmane Barro scored 6 points to key late run as Marquette (3-1) held off Oral Roberts (1-2) in Great Alaska Shootout semifinals. Caleb Green had game-high 28 pts and 11 rebs for ORU.
