FAST BREAK (December 2): Court Storming in Pennsylvania

Another short college hoops day only offered us 14 games.  This didn't stop the action and excitement from happening.  Before we gear up for Saturday's jam packed schedule, here is your Friday evening...

FAST BREAK

Duquesne (4-5) - 64
Pittsburgh (6-2) - 55

Duquesne players begin to celebrate (Photo by Gene J. Puskar/AP)

Friday night began with a huge upset win for the Duquesne Dukes against the Pittsburgh Panthers in the City Game.  The Panthers were without senior forward Jamel Artis, who was suspended for this contest in what was said as "failing to live up to the standards of a University of Pittsburgh basketball player."  Artis has been a crucial piece this season for Pittsburgh, averaging 19.7 ppg and 5.4 rpg.  However, Friday night, the Panthers would have to play without him.  The first half was no easy task, but Pittsburgh was able to find a way to lead 30-29 with scoring machine Michael Young accounting for half of their total.  Following the intermission, The Dukes went up 47-38 with 12:35 left to play only to have the Panthers charge back on a furious 10-0 run to take the lead with 6:55 remaining.  However, despite squandering leads to other opponents early on in the season, Duquesne was determined to not let this one slip away.  The Dukes junior guard Rene Castro hit his only three of the night to put them back on top 50-48.  From there on, Duquesne never looked back.  They were able to limit Pittsburgh to 3-22 shooting from outside.  In addition, the Dukes defense got after senior forward Michael Young after he exploded for 15 in the first half, holding him to just 4 points in the final 20 minutes of action.  It was quite clear that the lack of Jamel Artis hurt Pittsburgh in this one, but that is not to say that Duquesne didn't earn this one.  The Dukes played hard for all 40 minutes and responded well to Pittsburgh's fight.

Notable Players:

DUQ - Emile Blackman (37 minutes, 21 points, 6 rebounds, 4-7 from three)
DUQ - Mike Lewis II (36 minutes, 15 points, 5-14 from field)
PITT - Michael Young (37 minutes, 19 points, 6 rebounds, 8-21 from field)
PITT - Cameron Johnson (38 minutes, 14 points, 8 rebounds, 1-7 from three)  
 
CSU Bakersfield (5-4) - 43
SMU (5-3) - 49

SMU's Semi Ojeleye (Photo by George Walker/DFW Sports)

Not a lot of offense in this one, but still, this was a very good game.  SMU and CSU Bakersfield were tight going into halftime, with SMU grasping hold of a 1 point lead 23-22.  In the second half, CSU Bakersfield was able to take a 4 point advantage with just 5:49 remaining, but SMU, thanks to the free throw line, was able to come back and put CSU Bakersfield away.  The Mustangs went 8-10 from the stripe through the final 4:19 seconds while the Roadrunners were held scoreless through the final 5:49 seconds.  A late three by Bakersfield's sophomore guard Damiyne Durham broke this scoreless stretch, but it was too little too late.  This was a much needed victory after SMU dropped two straight to USC and Boise State.

Notable Players:

SMU - Shake Milton (38 minutes, 13 points, 4 assists, 3-6 from three)
SMU - Semi Ojeleye (31 minutes, 9 points, 8 rebounds)
SMU - Ben Moore (34 minutes, 5 points, 12 rebounds, 3 blocks)
CSB - Damiyne Durham (25 minutes, 14 points, 4-13 from three)  

Games To Watch Today (Saturday, December 3)

 Note: All times are Central Standard Time

11:30am - CBS

(11) UCLA (7-0)
(1) Kentucky (6-0)


12:00pm - BTN

Oklahoma (5-1)
(17) Wisconsin (6-2) 


1:00pm - ESPNU

(25) West Virginia (4-1)
(6) Virginia (6-0)


2:30pm - ESPN2

(7) Xavier (7-0)
(9) Baylor (7-0)


2:30pm - ESPN

Stanford (6-2)
(4) Kansas (6-1)


3:30pm

(21) Rhode Island (5-2)
Providence (5-2)


4:30pm - ESPN

(8) Gonzaga (7-0)
(16) Arizona (6-1)


7:00pm - FS2

Akron (6-1)
(10) Creighton (7-0)

That's all for today.  Be sure to check out some, if not all of those games on Saturday.  This is a huge weekend in college basketball and features some very intriguing matchups.  Check back tomorrow for full recaps of the action from Saturday!

 Stats from ESPN.com