HARTFORD, Conn. – Nate Sikma scored 20 points to lead Hartford over Maine 64-50 on Wednesday night in an America East Conference men’s basketball game.

The Hawks (7-19, 7-7) held Maine to just 6 of 24 from the field (25 percent) in the first half to lead 30-17 at intermission.

The Black Bears (11-14, 5-9) improved to 50 percent shooting (11 of 20) in the second half, but Hartford made 14 of 26 from the field (53.8 percent) for its third straight win.

Mark Nwakamma added 14 points for the Hawks, who forced 17 turnovers, while committing nine. Andres Torres dished out eight of Hartford’s 19 assists.

Xavier Pollard was the only Maine player in double figures, coming off the bench for 10 points. It was the Black Bears’ fifth straight loss against Hartford and fourth overall.

(3) MISSOURI 83, OKLAHOMA STATE 65: Marcus Denmon scored 17 points to lead five teammates in double figures as the Tigers (24-2, 11-2 Big 12) beat the Cowboys (12-14, 5-8) at Columbia, Mo., to avenge an earlier defeat.

Ricardo Ratliffe and Michael Dixon both had 15 points and Kim English and Phil Pressey scored 13 apiece for Missouri.

(8) NORTH CAROLINA 73, MIAMI 64: Harrison Barnes scored 23 points and the Tar Heels (22-4, 9-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) rallied from an eight-point deficit in the second half to top the Hurricanes (15-9, 6-5) at Coral Gables, Fla.

(16) MURRAY ST. 75, SE MISSOURI ST. 66: Donte Poole hit four 3-pointers and scored 25 points as the Racers (25-1, 13-1), despite a poor game from leading scorer Isaiah Canaan, clinched their third straight Ohio Valley Conference title by beating the Redhawks (14-12, 9-5) at Cape Girardeau, Mo.

(18) INDIANA 71, NORTHWESTERN 66: Cody Zeller scored 23 points and Verdell Jones had all six of his over the final 4:03 to lead the Hoosiers (20-6, 8-6 Big Ten) over the Wildcats (15-10, 5-8) at Bloomington, Ind.

(23) NOTRE DAME 71, RUTGERS 53: Jack Cooley scored 17 of his 22 points in the second half to lead the Fighting Irish (18-8, 9-3 Big East) over the visiting Scarlet Knights (12-14, 4-8).

Cooley also had 18 rebounds for the Fighting Irish, who won their seventh straight game.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

BATES 88, UM-PRESQUE ISLE 62: Bates (10-13) had five players in double figures for a victory over the University of Maine-Presque Isle (8-14) at Presque Isle.

The Bobcats led 48-24 at halftime.

HARTFORD 59. MAINE 40: Ruthanne Doherty scored 19 points to lead the University of Hartford (17-10, 8-5 America East) over the University of Maine (6-20, 3-10) at Orono.

Nikkia Smith and Daphne Elliott added 10 points each as Hartford took a 34-22 lead in the first half.

The Black Bears fell further behind in the second half, hitting a dismal 5 of 17 from the floor.

Danielle Walczak led Maine with 11 points.

(1) BAYLOR 83, OKLAHOMA ST. 51: Brittney Griner had 28 points and Kimetria Hayden scored a season-high 20 points as the Bears (26-0, 13-0 Big 12) beat the Cowgirls (13-9, 5-8) at Stillwater, Okla.

(5) DUKE 67, VIRGINIA TECH 45: Tricia Liston scored 17 points to help the Blue Devils (22-3, 13-0 ACC) beat the Hokies (7-19, 3-10) at Durham, N.C.

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