Jeff Hart

West Hall needed a win to keep pace with undefeated Flowery Branch in Region 7B-AAA. Johnson needed a win just to stay alive in the subregion race. On the strength on a 24-10 third quarter the Knights came away with 75-71 over the Spartans Tuesday night in boys basketball action at the Johnson gym. The Johnson girls earned their third win of the season with a 38-31 win in the first game.

Pardon the Georgia Lady Bulldogs if they show up wearing ruby red slippers for Sunday afternoon

Mike Krzyzewski drew a circle around the basket on his chalkboard at halftime to make his point: Clemson was dominating that part of the floor, but Duke was in control everywhere else. The No. 7 Blue Devils overcame their decided size disadvantage with quickness, using 24 points from DeMarcus Nelson to beat No. 24 Clemson 93-80 Saturday night for their 22nd straight win in the series.

Tyler Smith made two free throws with 11 seconds left and No. 6 Tennessee got some small revenge for its NCAA tournament loss to Ohio State last season with a 74-69 victory on Saturday.

Jamont Gordon scored 24 points and keyed a late run in Mississippi State's 66-56 victory over Alabama on Saturday.

Alex Gordon and Shan Foster both scored 18 points and No. 16 Vanderbilt snapped a two-game losing streak with a 92-76 victory over LSU on Saturday.

Frank Tolbert scored 29 points and DeWayne Reed had 21, both career highs, to lead Auburn to an 80-77 victory over No. 18 Mississippi on Saturday, keeping the Rebels from matching the best start in school history.

Vladimir Kuljanin scored 16 points and grabbed 15 rebounds to help North Carolina-Wilmington beat Georgia State 68-61 on Saturday night.

Virginia coach Dave Leitao said he did some self-scouting after his Cavaliers absorbed their third consecutive tough loss, and what he found was that a key element to his program was missing: having fun.

The Patriots are renowned for throwing new defensive twists at opponents. Here's one they'd like to show on Sunday: stopping long drives and getting the ball back into Tom Brady's hands faster. After two of their weaker defensive games of the season, unbeaten New England is determined to improve against the San Diego Chargers in the AFC championship game.