NCAA Basketball Recap
Hosted by Big Dill
About This Episode
Generated sports podcast with host Big Dill based on prompt: I want the scores from yesterday’s mens NCAA college basketball games. Give me scores, highlights, and top performers.
Transcript
Welcome to Big Dill Sports! I'm Dillon, your host, and today we've got a jam-packed episode as we dive into the latest NCAA basketball action. Let's talk about some high-profile matchups, star performances, and surprising upsets from Monday, December 15th.
Starting with a game that had everyone on the edge of their seats—Arizona versus Alabama. Arizona, the top team in the nation, came out strong against No. 12 Alabama, winning 96 to 75. Brayden Burries was on fire, dropping 28 points and rallying the Wildcats from a halftime deficit. In just 14 minutes in the second half, he flipped the game on its head. Teammate Motiejus Krivas also shined with a double-double, while Jaden Bradley showcased his playmaking skills. Alabama’s Labaron Philon Jr. gave a valiant effort with 24 points, but they couldn’t keep up with Arizona’s relentless pace and were out-rebounded 52 to 32.
In another thrilling contest, Purdue took on Marquette. There's no denying that when Purdue's Oscar Cluff is in the zone, they’re a tough team to beat. Cluff was flawless, scoring 22 points without missing a single shot. Add Braden Smith’s incredible 10 assists, and you've got a recipe for success. Purdue cruised to a 79 to 59 victory, snapping Marquette’s impressive run.
USC made waves in the Jimmy V Classic opener, overpowering San Diego 86 to 68. Christian Baker-Mazara stole the show with 29 points, helping USC dominate on both ends of the floor. It was a tough night for San Diego, despite a strong performance from Donavan Ford off the bench.
Stanford faced Portland and controlled the game from start to finish, securing a 74 to 44 victory. They built an early lead and never let Portland find their rhythm. Meanwhile, California Baptist edged out Colorado in a nail-biter, winning 52 to 51 with Thomas Ndong’s clutch jumper making all the difference.
Chicago State surprised St. Xavier with an impressive 85 to 62 win, thanks to D. Cockrill III's explosive 21-point game. Southern also made a statement, obliterating Louisiana Christian 101 to 48. M. Jacobs and B. Weinmunson led Southern's balanced attack, keeping their opponents at bay from the get-go.
At the Big 5 Classic, Villanova continued their hot streak, defeating Temple 74 to 56. Tyler Perkins was a standout with 19 points, showcasing why Villanova is a force to be reckoned with.
In the mid-major spotlight, Toledo dismantled Central State 102 to 58 behind A. Parks' brilliant 27 points and 10 rebounds. Hampton rolled over Apprentice School 94 to 58, and West Georgia outlasted Troy in a tight 93 to 89 contest, led by C. Lewless' 26 points.
Finally, Iona topped Delaware 89 to 66. CJ Anthony spearheaded the Gaels with 26 points and some stellar defense. A tight game turned into a comfortable win as Iona's efficient shooting and solid teamwork prevailed.
Now, let’s talk about today’s “Big Dill.” This accolade goes to Brayden Burries of Arizona for his electrifying performance against Alabama. His ability to turn the tide in such a crucial moment truly made him the big deal of the day.
As we wrap up, these games reflect a broad snapshot of the current college basketball landscape. The talent, drama, and surprises make it an electrifying sport to follow. Join me next time on Big Dill Sports for more exciting coverage. Until then, keep loving the game and stay tuned!
**High-Profile Matchups**
– No. 1 Arizona 96, No. 12 Alabama 75
Brayden Burries poured in 28 points (11-of-18 FG, 5-of-10 3PT), including a 14-minute second-half flurry that turned a 39-41 halftime deficit into a commanding win at Birmingham([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap/_/gameId/401812266?utm_source=openai))([abcnews.go.com](https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/burries-scores-28-points-1-arizona-rallies-halftime-128387201?utm_source=openai)). Motiejus Krivas added a double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds, while Jaden Bradley chipped in 14 points and 7 assists. Alabama’s Labaron Philon Jr. led the Tide with 24 points, but Alabama was outrebounded 52-32 and couldn’t withstand Arizona’s 14-1 run early in the second half.
– No. 6 Purdue 79, Marquette 59
Oscar Cluff flashed perfect efficiency, scoring 22 points on 9-of-9 shooting and hauling in 11 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the season. Braden Smith recorded 7 points, 10 assists and 5 rebounds, becoming just the second player in Division I history with at least 1,500 points, 850 assists and 550 rebounds (joining Ohio’s D.J. Cooper)([hammerandrails.com](https://www.hammerandrails.com/mens-basketball/57211/by-the-numbers-purdue-79-marquette-59?utm_source=openai))([purduesports.com](https://purduesports.com/news/2025/12/13/6-purdue-tops-marquette?utm_source=openai)). Fletcher Loyer added 15 points, drilling 4-of-8 from deep, as Purdue snapped Marquette’s run and improved to 10-1. Royce Parham paced Marquette with 19 points, but the Golden Eagles managed just 32.8% shooting.
**Power-Conference and Other Division I Contests**
– USC 86, San Diego 68
In the Jimmy V Classic opener, USC overpowered San Diego behind Christian Baker-Mazara’s 29 points, 8 rebounds and 3 blocks. Donavan Ford led USD with 15 points off the bench in a losing effort([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/scoreboard/_/group/50?utm_source=openai)).
– Stanford 74, Portland 44
The Cardinal controlled both ends, building a 37-22 halftime edge and holding Portland to 44 points. E. Okorie led Stanford with 8 points, while C. Williams had 5 points in the loss for Portland([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/scoreboard/_/group/21/1000?utm_source=openai)).
– California Baptist 52, Colorado 51
Thomas Ndong’s mid-range jumper provided the decisive tally for CBU, edging Colorado in a back-and-forth contest. D. Daniels Jr. tallied 16 points for Cal Baptist, while A. Michaeli posted 11 for the Buffaloes in a game decided in the final minute([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/scoreboard/_/group/21/1000?utm_source=openai)).
– Chicago State 85, St. Xavier 62
D. Cockrill III exploded for 21 points to spur Chicago State’s upset win. M. Tojagic paced St. Xavier with 9 points, but the Cougars dominated inside and on the glass to pull away in the second half([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/scoreboard/_/group/21/1000?utm_source=openai)).
– Southern 101, Louisiana Christian 48
Southern’s balanced attack featured 22 points and 8 assists from M. Jacobs and 18 points from B. Weinmunson en route to a rout. Louisiana Christian never led after falling behind 15-5 and struggled to contain the Jaguars’ depth([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/scoreboard/_/group/21/1000?utm_source=openai)).
– Villanova 74, Temple 56
Tyler Perkins scored 19 points as Villanova extended its win streak to six. Temple’s J. Mason led his squad with 12 points, but VU’s defense held the Owls to 28 second-half points at the Big 5 Classic campus game([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/scoreboard/_/group/21/1000?utm_source=openai)).
**Mid-Major and Showcase Games**
– Toledo 102, Central State 58
The Rockets overwhelmed Central State with A. Parks posting a 27-point, 10-rebound, 3-block effort. M. Bays led CSO with 8 points, but Toledo’s size and speed dictated a blowout at Savage Arena([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/scoreboard/_/group/21/1000?utm_source=openai)).
– Hampton 94, Apprentice School 58
Hampton’s E. Kennedy scored 20 points with 3 steals, complementing D. Brown’s 16 points, 19 rebounds and 3 blocks for APPRE. The Pirates raced out to a double-digit lead and never looked back([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/scoreboard/_/group/21/1000?utm_source=openai)).
– West Georgia 93, Troy 89
In a back-and-forth SoCon contest, C. Lewless exploded for 26 points and 4 steals, topping Troy’s T. Dowd who recorded 20 points and 14 rebounds. The Wolves outlasted the Trojans in a late-game thriller at Trojan Arena([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/scoreboard/_/group/21/1000?utm_source=openai)).
– Iona 89, Delaware 66
CJ Anthony led the Gaels with 26 points and 3 steals, while Lamin Sabally posted 14 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds and 4 steals. Toby Harris added 13, fueling Iona’s tightened defense and efficient shooting in Newark, Del. — Iona never trailed after taking the lead late in the first half, closing out a balanced victory over the Blue Hens([cbssports.com](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/cj-anthony-scores-26-to-lead-iona-to-89-66-victory-over-delaware/?utm_source=openai))([ionagaels.com](https://ionagaels.com/news/2025/12/1/mens-basketball-iona-mbb-outraces-delaware-89-66.aspx?utm_source=openai)).
These key results from Monday, Dec. 15 provide a comprehensive snapshot of the nation’s men’s college basketball landscape—showcasing dominant performances by top programs, standout contributions in power-conference matchups, and competitive contests across mid-major leagues.
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