Michigan State, Virginia forced to cancel game

By The Associated Press

Virginia and Michigan State weren't the only ones slipping and sliding. UCLA found a way to stumble at home.

On the second night of the ACC-Big Ten Challenge, No. 9 Virginia and No. 22 Michigan State were forced to stop their game in the second half Wednesday night when the floor became too moist to continue.

Condensation made the court, which sat on top of a hockey rink at Richmond Coliseum, too slick to play on. The game was called with 15:04 left in the second half and Virginia leading 31-28.

"This was the most bizarre evening I've ever experienced," Virginia coach Pete Gillen said. "It was like Bambi on ice."

Meanwhile, No. 10 UCLA lost its second game of the young season, falling 85-78 to Pepperdine.

"We were terrible. Obviously, that responsibility falls with me," said UCLA coach Steve Lavin, 3-3 in home openers. "It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that Pepperdine came in and played an excellent game."

The Waves (2-1) snapped a 12-game losing streak against the Bruins (2-2), who were upset by No. 16 Ball State last week in the Maui Invitational.

Pepperdine used a 17-8 run to close out its first win against UCLA in 46 years.

"This is a big win for our program," coach Paul Westphal said. "We are going to enjoy the victory, but we have a long way to go."

The ice was under the court in preparation for a hockey game Friday night, it was 70 degrees outside in Richmond, and 11,666 fans in attendance combined to produce a steady supply of moisture that made the floor too treacherous.

"It definitely wasn't safe out there," said Virginia point guard Roger Mason Jr., who slipped several times and avoided drives to the basket.

The final decision to call off the game was made when Virginia's Travis Watson fell hard to the court.

"I think we went as far as we could go, maybe too far," Gillen said.

Michigan State coach Tom Izzo didn't object to the stoppage, either.

"I don't think Pete wanted to call it any more than I did," he said. "It was nasty."

An announcement was planned for Friday on whether the game can be made up.

Jimmy Miggins scored 20 points, and Craig Lewis added 18 as Pepperdine made the night unpleasant for UCLA.

"Guys just don't want to play defense," said UCLA's Jason Kapono, who tied his career high with 28 points. "The sad part is we know our problem and we can't solve it."

No. 6 Florida 108, New Hampshire 56

Brett Nelson scored 20 points in the first half, leading Florida over host New Hampshire before the largest college basketball crowd in state history.

Nelson made six of 10 shots from 3-point range in his first-half spurt for Florida (3-1).

Assane Faye had 11 points, and Austin Ganley 10 for New Hampshire (0-5).

No. 8 Kansas 105, Pittsburg St. 62

Drew Gooden had 26 points and 13 rebounds for Kansas.

Kirk Hinrich added three 3-pointers and 18 points for the Jayhawks (3-1), who haven't lost to an NCAA Division II team since falling to Emporia State in 1947.

The visiting Gorillas (3-2) were led by Cedric Brooks' four 3-pointers and 19 points.

No. 13 Kentucky 82, Kent St. 68

Marquis Estill and Keith Bogans each scored 19 points, and Tayshaun Prince had 17 as Kentucky beat Kent State in Cincinnati.

Cliff Hawkins added 12 points and six assists as the Wildcats (3-1) won their third straight after a season-opening loss to 17th-ranked Western Kentucky.

Antonio Gates had 22 points and 10 rebounds to lead Kent State (3-2).

No. 15 Boston College 96, St. Bonaventure 82

Troy Bell scored 30 points, and Ryan Sidney added 21 as Boston College rallied to win at St. Bonaventure.

Bell hit a 3-pointer with 5:27 remaining to break a 76-76 tie and start a 12-2 run.

The Bonnies scored 52 first-half points and led by as many as 18. Boston College (4-0) slowly went ahead on Bell's 3-pointer with 12 minutes left.

J.R. Bremer scored 25 points for the Bonnies (2-1).

No. 18 Georgetown 91, Bethune-Cookman 61

Wesley Wilson scored 21 points, and Kevin Braswell added 20, leading Georgetown (5-1).

The host Hoyas have beaten Coastal Carolina, Towson, Grambling and Bethune-Cookman (1-3) by an average of 35 points.

Richard Toussaint led Bethune-Cookman with 21 points.

No. 19 St. Joseph's 84, Delaware 57

Marvin O'Connor scored 21 points in 22 minutes as St. Joseph's won at Delaware.

St. Joseph (3-1) won its third straight game. Sean Knitter led Delaware (2-3) with 11 points.

No. 20 Memphis 86, Christian Brothers 54

Dajuan Wagner scored 18 of his 25 points in the second half as Memphis won easily at home against Division II Christian Brothers.

Wagner made 11 of his first 23 shots and led the Tigers (5-2) to a double-digit lead midway through the first half.