Atunrase's 22 points leads A&M women past SFA

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Atunrase's 22 points leads A&M women past SFA

COLLEGE STATION — Morenike Atunrase scored 22 points in her best game since returning from an injury last month, helping No. 13 Texas A&M to an 84-53 win over Stephen F. Austin on Thursday night.

Shooting 9-of-13 from the floor, Atunrase made as many shots as she did in her first four games since coming back Dec. 15 from surgery on her right tibia. She also had six rebounds in 25 minutes.

Danielle Gant added 15 points for Texas A&M (12-2), which is getting Atunrase back to form just in time for the Aggies' Big 12 opener next week against Kansas State.

Whitney Cormier scored 15 points for Stephen F. Austin (3-9), which was facing its former coach Gary Blair.

Kiley Finstad and Sydney Colson added 12 points for the Aggies.

In other games

• Connecticut 88, Villanova 38 — Tina Charles had 19 points and 11 rebounds, and Mel Thomas added 16 points, leading the No. 1 Huskies (12-0, 1-0) over the host Wildcats (10-4, 0-1) in their Big East opener.

Maria Getty led Villanova with 12 points.

• LSU 73, Florida State 61 — Quianna Chaney scored 18 of her career-high 27 points in the first half, and the No. 11 Tigers (11-3) beat the host Seminoles (10-5).

Shante Williams scored 20 points for Florida State.

• George Washington 68, Auburn 66 — Lisa Steele made a 3-pointer with 1.1 seconds remaining to clinch a road victory for the No. 20 Colonials over the No. 18 Tigers.

Sarah-Jo Lawrence led George Washington (11-3) with 18 points. Freshman Alli Smalley led Auburn (12-3) with 17 points.

• Maryland 83, Wake Forest 49 — Crystal Langhorne had 15 points and 10 rebounds, leading the No. 5 Terrapins (17-1, 1-0) over the host Demon Deacons (12-3, 0-1) in their Atlantic Coast Conference opener.

Camille Collier scored 10 points for Wake Forest.

• Duke 82, North Carolina Central 29 — Chante Black didn't miss a shot in scoring 17 points, and the No. 12 Blue Devils (11-3) rolled past the Lady Eagles (2-15) for their 22nd consecutive home victory.

Jori Nwachuka and Lavonna Hailey each scored eight points to lead North Carolina Central.

• Ohio State 66, Michigan 42 — Freshman center Jantel Lavender scored 14 points and had a game-high 12 rebounds to lead the No. 21 Buckeyes (10-3, 1-1) to a Big Ten victory over the visiting Spartans (8-4, 1-1).

Jessica Minnfield led Michigan with 18 points.