PHILADELPHIA – The charity for troubled youths started by Jerry Sandusky more than three decades ago – and through which the retired Penn State assistant football coach met the boys he is charged withANN ARBOR, Mich. – Evan Smotrycz broke up a pass at one end of the court, then Tim Hardaway Jr. rattled in a shot from the baseline at the other.
Michigan’s slumping sophomores were finally giving the Wolverines a lift again.
Hardaway scored 15 points and Smotrycz added 13, helping No. 22 Michigan remain unbeaten at home with a 70-61 win over Illinois on Sunday.
Freshman Trey Burke added 14 points for the Wolverines (19-7, 9-4 Big Ten), but it was Smotrycz and Hardaway who came through with the most encouraging performances of the day, especially in the first half.
“I just didn’t like the pace of that game. We needed something good to happen,” Michigan coach John Beilein said. “Tim hits a shot. Evan hits a shot. We have been waiting for that.”
Brandon Paul led Illinois (16-9, 5-7) with 21 points and Tyler Griffey added 18.
The Illini have lost six of seven and are on the NCAA tournament bubble despite wins over Ohio State and Michigan State.
No. 12 GEORGETOWN 71, ST. JOHN’S 61: In Washington, freshman forward Greg Whittington scored a career-high 12 points as the Hoyas (19-5, 9-4 Big East) hit clutch three-pointers down the stretch.
Whittington, Jason Clark and Markel Starks all hit threes in the final 6 minutes to counter the Red Storm’s momentum in a game in which Georgetown never trailed – but also never led by double digits until the final 5 seconds.
D’Angelo Harrison scored 24 points, and Moe Harkless had 20 for the Red Storm (10-15, 4-9).
DRAKE 78, EVANSVILLE 54: In Des Moines, Iowa, Jordan Clarke scored 18 points, leading five Drake players in double figures, as the Bulldogs ended a three-game losing streak. Clarke also had 12 rebounds for Drake (14-12, 7-8 Missouri Valley), which never trailed.
Denver Holmes led Evansville (12-13, 7-8) with 16 points. Kenny Harris added 12 points.
