Wednesday's national basketball roundup

Freshman Josh Jackson had 23 points and 10 rebounds, then helped third-ranked Kansas prevent No. 2 Baylor from getting off a potential tying shot in the closing seconds of the Jayhawks' 73-68 victory Wednesday night in Lawrence, Kan.

Frank Mason III added 19 points, including two free throws to seal the win, as the Jayhawks (20-2, 8-1) pulled a game ahead of the Bears (20-2, 7-2) in the Big 12 race.

"It was big. It was for first place," said Kansas junior guard Devonte Graham, who added 13 points. "We knew we had to come out and get that 'W' so we could remain in first."

It was close almost the entire way.

Manu Lecomte's fallaway jumper brought Baylor within 70-68 with 51 seconds left. Svi Mykhailiuk made one of two free throws with 18 seconds left for the Jayhawks.

Then Johnathan Motley, who had 16 points and 10 rebounds for Baylor, threw a pass out of bounds with 13 seconds left and Jackson in his face. Mason made both free throws after getting fouled on the inbounds play.

The Jayhawks won their 51st consecutive game at Allen Fieldhouse — where Baylor has never won in 15 tries.

Nation men

No. 4 Villanova 66, Providence 57: Jalen Brunson scored 15 of his 21 points in the second half as the Wildcats (21-2, 8-2 Big East) beat the host Friars.

Syracuse 100, North Carolina State 93 (OT): John Gillon scored 43 points to help the Orange (14-9, 6-4 ACC) beat the host Wolfpack (14-9, 3-7).

MIAC men

St. Thomas 59, Gustavus 57: Senior guard Grant Shaeffer scored a game-high 25 points and made the winning jumper in the lane with two seconds left, as the first-place Tommies (16-4, 12-3 MIAC) edged the visiting Gusties.

St. Thomas 75, Gustavus 69: Senior center Kaitlin Langer had 32 points and 10 rebounds to help the visiting Tommies defeat Gustues in St. Peter, Minn. The Tommies (19-0, 13-0 MIAC), ranked No. 3 in the d3hoops.com poll, took over sole possession of first place in the conference with the win. Mikayla Miller scored 18 and Hannah Howard 16 for No. 17 Gustavus (19-1, 12-1).

Big Ten women

No. 14 Ohio State 87, Penn State 72: Kelsey Mitchell made four three-pointers and scored 23 points to lead the Buckeyes (20-5, 10-1 Big Ten) over the visiting Lady Lions (14-8, 4-6). Teammate Stephanie Mavunga had 11 points and 11 rebounds. Teniya Page had 32 points for PSU (14-8, 4-6).

Northwestern 63, Wisconsin 43: Nia Coffey, a Hopkins product, had 15 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Wildcats (17-5, 6-3) over the visiting Badgers (5-17, 0-9).