Top 25 roundup: No. 4 Arizona squeezes past No. 3 UConn

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Jaden Bradley’s game-high 21 points included a clutch layup with 16 seconds left in regulation to lift No. 4 Arizona to a 71-67 win over No. 3 UConn in an early-season showdown on Wednesday night in Storrs, Conn.

The Wildcats (5-0) used a late 7-0 run to turn a two-point deficit into a lead that they would not relinquish en route to their third win over a ranked team this season. Star freshman Koa Peat added 16 points and 12 rebounds for Arizona, which shot 51.9% in the second half and had a 43-23 advantage on the glass in the game.

Bradley’s layup extended the lead to 67-64 and a pair of missed free throws by UConn’s Eric Reibe on the ensuing possession had the Huskies in catch-up mode with not enough time remaining. Arizona’s Tobe Akawa hit all four free-throw attempts in the final six seconds to seal the victory.

Reibe had a team-high 15 points and four boards to lead UConn (4-1), which had a streak of 36 consecutive nonconference home wins snapped. He was one of four double-figure scorers for the Huskies.

No. 7 Michigan 86, Middle Tennessee 61

Yaxel Lendeborg scored 25 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead the Wolverines past the Red Raiders in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Aday Mara had 10 points and 10 rebounds while Elliot Cadeau also had 10 points for Michigan (4-0), which went 26 of 42 on 2-point shots. That helped the Wolverines overcome a 5-of-25 performance from 3-point range and 13 turnovers.

Jahvin Carter came off the bench to score 18 points and Kamari Lands contributed 11 points for Middle Tennessee (3-1).

No. 11 Alabama 90, No. 8 Illinois 86

Labaron Philon Jr. scored 10 of his team-high 24 points in the final 2:24 as the Crimson Tide held off the Fighting Illini in Chicago.

Philon drove for a layup, tipped in his own miss, swished a 3-pointer from the top of the key and zipped into the paint for a floater during the decisive stretch. Taylor Bol Bowen added 12 points and Aden Holloway contributed 11 for Alabama (3-1), which didn’t take its first lead until the second half.

Andrej Stojakovic led Illinois (4-1) with 26 points. Kylan Boswell added 22 points and seven assists while David Mirkovic (10 points, 10 rebounds) registered his fourth double-double in five games.

No. 22 Auburn 112, Jackson State 66

KeShawn Murphy scored 19 points in just 20 minutes, leading five players in double figures as Auburn plastered visiting Jackson State.

Reserve Filip Jovic added 18 on 8-of-10 shooting from the field for Auburn (4-1), while Simon Walker hit five 3-pointers in just seven minutes to finish with 15 points. Elyjah Freeman stuffed the stat sheet with 14 points, six rebounds and five assists.

Jayme Mitchell Jr. scored a game-high 24 points for Jackson State (0-4), and Dorian McMillian added 16 off the bench. Jackson State committed 22 turnovers that Auburn turned into 39 points.

–Field Level Media