UNDATED (AP) — It was a tough night to be a top-5 men’s basketball team.
Posh Alexander scored 16 points and St. John’s held third-ranked Villanova to 32 percent shooting in a 70-59 upset of the Wildcats. Julian Champagnie contributed all 14 of his points in the second half of the Red Storm’s fifth win in a row.
Villanova committed 17 turnovers in ending a nine-game winning streak. The Wildcats fell behind, 58-41 with about 6:45 left and were held 12 points below its previous season low for its first loss since Nov. 28 to Virginia Tech in overtime.
Jayden Gardner had 21 points and 15 rebounds to help East Carolina shock fifth-ranked Houston 82-73, the Pirates’ first win against a ranked opponent in nearly two decades.
Tremont Robinson-White added 17 points for East Carolina, which defied season-long offensive struggles against one of the nation’s top defensive teams. East Carolina shot 47% overall, made 11 of 24 3-pointers and led for the last 12-plus minutes.
DeJon Jarreau matched his career high with 25 points to lead the Cougars, but top scorer Quentin Grimes provided just seven points on 2-for-10 shooting.
Checking out Wednesday’s other top-25 action:
— Jaden Shackelford scored 19 points and No. 10 Alabama moved to 10-0 in the SEC with a 78-60 win against LSU. Juwan Gary with a season-high 12 points for the Crimson Tide, who opened the second half on an 11-2 run to take a 15-point lead.
— Virginia was a 64-57 winner against North Carolina State as Sam Hauser and Trey Murphy III each furnished 18 points for the 14th-ranked Cavaliers. Jay Huff added 12 points to help the Cavs bounce back after their 15-game ACC winning streak ended Saturday against Virginia Tech.
— Jahvon Blair nailed six 3-pointers and provided 21 points to lead four Georgetown players in double figures in an 86-79 victory at Creighton. The Hoyas hit 50% from the field and ended a five-game road losing streak.
— Xavier Johnson poured in a career-high 32 points and Pittsburgh beat No. 16 Virginia Tech, 83-72 to end a three-game skid. Panthers leading scorer Justin Champagnie had 13 rebounds and 10 points, his eighth double-double.
— Dru Smith delivered a season-high 26 points on 6 of 11 shooting, grabbed seven rebounds and had five assists as 18th-ranked Missouri held off Kentucky, 75-70. Xavier Pinson had 14 points for the Tigers, who saw a 40-27 lead cut to one before dropping the Wildcats to 5-11.
— AJ Lawson scored 22 points and Seventh Woods added 12 for South Carolina in a 72-66 victory against No. 22 Florida. Keyshawn Bryant added eight points for the Gamecocks, including six in a 13-1 run over the final 6:37.
