USF's modest streak ends despite 33 from Lawson

TAMPA — A career game from Jessica Lawson went for naught as USF faded late, falling 60-52 to Rutgers on Saturday to end a two-game winning streak.

Lawson had a career-best 33 points and added 10 rebounds, three steals and two blocks. It was the 13th-best scoring performance in Bulls history.

Lawson was the only player who scored in double figures for the Bulls (13-9, 4-5 Big East).

Khadijah Rushdan had 17 points and Brittany Ray 12 for the Scarlet Knights (13-10, 5-4), who snapped a three-game losing streak. Rutgers' bench outscored USF's 17-1.

USF started fast and led most of the game. The Bulls were up 45-43 with 5:47 left in the game on two Lawson free throws before Rushdan hit back-to-back layups to put Rutgers ahead for good.

The Scarlet Knights hit 8 of 10 free-throw attempts in the final 54 seconds.

TAMPA 74, LYNN 67, OT: Gianna Messina matched her career high with 30 points for the Spartans (20-2, 10-1 Sunshine State Conference), who won their seventh straight overall and 16th in a row at home.

NOVA SE 54, ECKERD 53: Abbie Tepe hit a 3-pointer with five seconds left to lift the Sharks. Ashley Lutz had 20 points, including the 1,000th of her career, for the host Tritons (7-12, 1-9 SSC).

SAINT LEO 54, FLA. TECH 45: Dominique Daniels had 14 points and 13 rebounds to lead the host Lions (13-8, 6-5 SSC).

Top 25

NO. 3 NOTRE DAME 86, PITT 76: Skylar Diggins had 23 points and 10 rebounds, both season highs, and Lindsay Schrader added 18 points for the host Fighting Irish (21-1, 8-1 Big East).

NO. 4 NEBRASKA 71, NO. 12 TEXAS A&M 60: Kelsey Griffin had 21 points and 10 rebounds, and the host Cornhuskers (21-0, 8-0 Big 12) turned back a late comeback attempt by the Aggies (16-5, 4-4).

NO. 13 OKLAHOMA 77, NO. 10 OKLA. ST. 66: Danielle Robinson had a career-high 36 points for the visiting Sooners (16-6, 6-3) in their 21st win over the Cowgirls (18-5, 6-3 Big 12) in their past 22 meetings.

NO. 11 W. VA. 75, PROVIDENCE 59: Liz Repella had 25 points and 10 rebounds as the visiting Mountaineers (21-3, 8-2) Big East bounced back after being routed at Connecticut.

NO. 15 BAYLOR 76, COLORADO 42: Brittney Griner had 24 points, 10 rebounds and 11 blocks to lead the host Bears (17-5, 4-4 Big 12).

NO. 23 WISC.-G.B. 74, WRIGHT ST. 50: Julie Wojta had 23 points for the Phoenix (19-3, 8-3), which snapped a three-game road losing streak in the Horizon League.

NO. 24 GONZAGA 70, PORTLAND 58: Heather Bowman had 19 points for the visiting Bulldogs (19-4, 8-0 West Coast), who rallied to win their 10th straight game.