College basketball had another thrilling night on Monday as several standout performances led to close finishes across multiple games.
Blaise Threatt of Weber State was the star of the evening, scoring a career-high 34 points to help his team overcome the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks with a score of 77-73. Threatt's extraordinary performance not only saw him reach new heights personally but also played a pivotal role for the Wildcats. Northern Arizona had their own hero, as Trent McLaughlin matched Threatt's intensity with a career-high of 35 points. Unfortunately for the Lumberjacks, it was not enough to clinch the victory.
Threatt also showcased his skills on the boards, contributing 10 rebounds, and was supported by teammates Henning and Vartiainen, who chipped in with 14 and 10 points, respectively. For Northern Arizona, apart from McLaughlin, Diego Campisano added 12 points, and Jayden Jackson provided 10 points alongside five assists and two steals.
Meanwhile, down south, South Carolina State had their own standout moment against Howard. Omar Croskey delivered his best game yet, scoring 27 points as the Bulldogs commanded their way to an emphatic 89-66 victory. Croskey's performance was complemented by Cameron Shockley-Okeke and Marcus Dockery, who each contributed 18 points for Howard, though their efforts fell short.
Blake Harper also had a notable performance for Howard, tallying 17 points, six rebounds, and four assists, reflecting both individual brilliance and teamwork. Yet, the day clearly belonged to South Carolina State and Croskey, who emerged as the clear leader.
Lastly, Alcorn State secured their own narrow victory with a 60-53 score against Grambling. Keionte Corneliu was the leading scorer for Alcorn with 14 points as they maintained their competitive edge. Grambling's Kintavious Dozier put forth a valiant effort, ending the game with 12 points, aided by Ernest Ross with 11 points and seven rebounds, and Mikale Stevenson who impressed with 10 points and six steals.
These games underlined the thrill of college basketball, showcasing how individual performances can turn the tide for teams engaged in the relentless competition of conference play. With the season still going strong, fans can look forward to more such eye-popping displays of athletic prowess as players seek to carve their names in the history of NCAA basketball.