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Justin Moore's 27 points on Tuesday was the highest scoring total among league players.
Justin Moore's 27 points on Tuesday was the highest scoring total among league players.

Men's Basketball

MBB Minute -- BIG EAST Posts 8-0 Mark on Opening Night

As is often the case on opening night, some games are close and some are not.  All eight league teams in action opened their seasons Tuesday with victories.  Some teams earned some style points and some might not have.

Fourth-ranked Villanova was not seriously challenged in a 91-51 win over Mount St. Mary’s. Justin Moore had a career-high 27 points – the most of any league player on Tuesday – and had seven assists.  The Wildcats amassed a 45-21 lead by halftime. Jermaine Samuels and Brandon Slater each added 17 points. 

No. 24 Connecticut also had little difficulty, beating Central Connecticut State 99-48.  Adama Sanogo scored 20 points on 9-of-11 shooting from the field. The Huskies shot 61.3 percent from the floor.

St. John’s also cruised to a victory, defeating Mississippi Valley State 119-61 in the largest margin of victory for the Johnnies since 1951-52. Julian Champagnie scored 20 points and Fordham transfer Joel Soriano had 11 points and 13 rebounds.

After trailing 47-38 at halftime, Creighton dropped 52 points on Arkansas-Pine Bluff in the second half and won 90-77. Alex O’Connell matched his collegiate high with 20 points. Newcomer Ryan Hawkins added 16 points and 11 boards. Freshman Ryan Nembhard had 15 points and 10 assists.

New coach Shaka Smart earned his first victory at Marquette, an 88-77 decision against SIU-Edwardsville. After leading 39-38 at half, the Golden Eagles pulled away for the win.  Maryland transfer Darryl Morsell posted a game-high 21 points. Justin Lewis had 17 points and 11 boards.

Butler put the defensive clamps on IUPUI in a 56-47 win. The Bulldogs limited IUPUI to 37.5 percent shooting from the field and 3-of-23 from 3-point range. Chuck Harris led Butler with 16 points.

Providence rode a 22-point effort by Nate Watson in an 80-73 win over Fairfield.  Noah Horchler helped with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Indiana transfer Al Durham contributed 18 points.

In a 63-60 win over Niagara, Xavier never trailed, but could not pull away from the Purple Eagles. Paul Scruggs filled his stat line with 17 points, six assists and three steals. Colby Jones added 16 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals.