MBB Minute – Connecticut’s Tristen Newton and Xavier’s Zach Freemantle each recorded triple-doubles to propel their teams to victories on a 4-2 Tuesday for BIG EAST teams.
 
Newton, a transfer from East Carolina, helped 25^th-ranked Connecticut defeat Buffalo 84-64 by scoring 22 points, dishing 11 assists and grabbing 10 rebounds. He had 15 points and seven assists in the first half when the Huskies built a 44-28 lead by halftime. Newton was the first Husky to notch a triple-double since 2015.
 
The veteran Freemantle finished with 15 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists in Xavier’s 78-65 victory over Fairfield. It was the first triple-double by a Musketeer since 2016. Jack Nunge led in scoring with 23 points followed by Adam Kunkel, who added 21. Xavier won the game in the second half when it outscored the Stags 41-30.
 
Providence defeated Stonehill 100-76 behind 16-point efforts from Ed Croswell, Bryce Hopkins and Clifton Moore. Six PC players reached double figures. The Friars got off to a 9-0 start and never trailed.
 
St. John’s scored 51 points in the second half to pull away from Central Connecticut State 91-74. Freshman AJ Storr scored 13 of his game-high 16 points in the second half. David Jones added 15 points and nine rebounds.
 
In the Gavitt Tipoff Games, Marquette led for 28:07 at Purdue, but the Boilermakers rallied in the final minutes to take a 75-70 decision. David Joplin netted a game-high 21 points and Kam Jones added 19.
 
Primo Spears led Georgetown in scoring for the third straight game, but the Hoyas could not get past Northwestern, losing 75-63 at home. Spears scored 22 points and had six assists. Transfer Jay Heath made his Hoya debut and scored 13 points.
 
The lone game on Wednesday’s schedule is a Gavitt Games contest between Seton Hall and Iowa at Prudential Center. FS1 will televise at 7:30 ET. Shootaround will be live on set for the contest.
 
BIG EAST teams are 27-4 this season.