Lakers 102, Jazz 95
In Los Angeles, Kobe Bryant scored 40 points in his second game back from an ankle injury to lead the Los Angeles Lakers over Utah.
Chucky Atkins added 24 points, including a 3-pointer that gave the Lakers a 96-95 lead with 54 seconds remaining. Caron Butler added 23 points for Los Angeles, which ran off a 12-2 run to end the game.
Reserve Mehmet Okur had 20 points for Utah.
Sacramento Kings guard Cuttino Mobley was fined US$10,000 by the NBA on Tuesday for his protest after referees did not call goaltending on his last-minute shot during a loss to the Dallas Mavericks.
Mobley had to be restrained from going after the officials by teammate Brad Miller on Friday.
Stu Jackson, the NBA's senior vice president for basketball operations, said the fine was for abuse of the officials and failure to promptly leave the court.
reuters, COLUMBIA, South Carolina
Tarence Kinsey scored 17 points, as South Carolina handed third-ranked Kentucky its first Southeastern Conference loss in 366 days with a 73-61 upset victory at the Colonial Center on Tuesday.
Carlos Powell posted 14 points for the Gamecocks (14-8, 6-5 SEC), who have won three of their last four and improved to 12-2 at home this season. Antoine Tisby added 13 points in the victory.
Kelenna Azubuike led Kentucky with 16 points while Ravi Moss netted 12 for the Wildcats (19-3, 10-1), who had not lost a conference game since Feb. 14, 2004.
Wake Forest 68, Miami (Fl) 63
In Coral Gables, Florida, Chris Paul had 13 points and eight assists as Wake Forest held off Miami of Florida 68-63 in ACC action at the Convocation Center.
Eric Williams also finished with 13 points and Justin Gray added 11 for the Demon Deacons (22-3, 10-2 ACC).
Guillermo Diaz netted a game-high 20 points while Anthony Harris compiled 14 points and five assists for the Hurricanes (15-8, 6-6), who had a two-game win streak stopped.
No. 18 Connecticut 94, Providence 89
In Providence, Charlie Villanueva was one of four players with a double-double as he scored a team-high 22 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead No. 18 Connecticut past Providence 94-89 in double overtime at the Dunkin' Donuts Center.
Denham Brown finished with 14 points and 10 boards, while Josh Boone netted 11 and 10 rebounds for the Huskies (16-6, 8-3 Big East). Marcus Williams had a spectacular night as he ended with 15 points and a career-high 13 assists. Rudy Gay added 15 points in the win.
No. 25 Villanova 89, Bucknell 51
In Villanova, Pennsylvania, Allan Ray posted 23 points and hit four three-pointers to lead No. 25 Villanova to an 89-51 victory over the Bucknell Bison in non-conference action from The Pavilion.
Mike Nardi and Curtis Sumpter each contributed 14 points for the Wildcats (15-6), who bounced back from a 15-point loss to Syracuse over the weekend at the Wachovia Center in South Philadelphia.
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