USF 70, Cleveland State 55: As unexpected as Marquette's loss was, this was a game we didn't think the Bulls could win. Cleveland State entered with an 10-1 record and a five-game win streak. South Florida head coach Stan Heath had a more interesting way to describe Jawanza Poland's 13 point (3-5 from three-point), 5 rebound night than we can:
"He's one of those guys that's a rhythm guy," Heath said. "Once Jawanza gets going, he's like that heater in the basement - he gets hot and starts throwing steam out." (via Tampa Bay.com)
West Virginia 72, Tennessee Tech 53: Kevin Jones, the Big East's second-leading scorer and rebounder, led the Mountaineers with 25 points and 14 rebounds on Monday. Deniz Kilicli and Darryl Bryant also scored in double figures for West Virginia. Tennessee Tech hung around for the first seven minutes of the game. The Mountaineers erased the Golden Eagles' 8-7 lead with a 15-5 run over the next six minutes of the first half. West Virginia led the rest of the way and put the game out of reach with a 17-5 run in the second half. Tennessee Tech only hit one of their 15 three-point attempts and trailed 24-19 in free throw attempts.
Notre Dame 106, Sacred Heart 65: After a 48-point first half, the Irish followed with a 58-point second half in a blowout over Sacred Heart. Notre Dame had a huge free throw advantage, 34-15. Jack Cooley led Notre Dame with 19 points (7-7 from the field) and 8 rebounds. Every player Notre Dame used in the game scored at least five points. Sacred Heart's Shane Gibson led all scorers with 22 points. Sacred Heart held a 30-23 lead at the 7:18 mark in the first half. Notre Dame erased it with a 25-7 run to end the first half. The Irish shot 61.4% for the game and outscored the Pioneers 58-28 in the second half.
There are four Big East games on the schedule tonight: Bucknell at No. 1 Syracuse (7 p.m., TV: ESPNU); St. Francis (PA) at No. 14 Pitt (ESPN3); New Hampshire at Providence (7 p.m., ESPN3); Charleston at No. 4 Louisville (9 p.m., TV: ESPNU)