Morning Box Score

By Matt Motyka in News on Mar 7, 2009 5:30PM

Bulls Best Bucks
The Chicago Bulls earned a 117-102 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday, placing themselves in sole possession of the eighth playoff spot in the East. Chicago went on top early in the second quarter and led comfortably for most of the game, but the Bucks showed some fight and closed to within three at the start of the fourth. The Bulls responded with an eight-point run, while Milwaukee misfired on eight of nine three-point attempts and faded from contention. Ben Gordon notched 34 for the Bulls, who kick off a tough three-game road trip in Miami on Monday.

College Basketball
Notre Dame quelled the St. John's Red Storm on Friday night with a 74-55 victory. The Fighting Irish never trailed, out-shooting their opponent by 21 percent from the field. Luke Harangody was back in top form with 31 points and 12 rebounds, as Notre Dame closed out their regular season with a convincing win. The Irish will look to salvage a disappointing year with a strong showing in the Big East tourney, which tips-off on Tuesday. Notre Dame currently sits in the tenth spot of their own conference, after entering the season with a no. 9 national ranking.

UIC got bounced by the Cleveland State Vikings, 67-64, dashing their Horizon League tourney hopes. Knotted at 61 with under two minutes to play, the Vikings capitalized on two consecutive UIC turnovers and established a late four-point advantage. The Flames reduced the lead to three and had the final possession, but missed three three-pointers in the waning seconds to bring their season to an end. Josh Mayo scored 24 for the Flames, who finish the year with a record of 16-15.

AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast