Big scoring nights abound

I think its safe to say that Lamar's Mike James had a career night on Tuesday night against D-III Louisiana College.

He came off the bench ... and scored 52 points.

Seriously. 52 points. In just 28 minutes. Off the bench. Incredible, right?

James was 18-35 from the floor. He made 11 three pointers. In the first half, he had a stretch where he went for 15 straight points. In the second half, he did better, pouring in 24 consecutive points. Hey coach, maybe its time to put this kid in the starting lineup, eh?


The 52 points tied Roderic Hall of UT-San Antonio for the most points scored off the bench in the last 15 years. Hall accomplished the feat in 1997, the same year that Ed Gray of Cal scored 48 points in a game that he had played 28 or fewer minutes, the previous high in the last 15 years.

It was the most points scored in a game this season, surpassing Andrew Nicholson of St. Bonaventure, who had 44 points in a 4OT win against Ohio. Ironically, in that same game, DJ Cooper of Ohio went for 43 points.

You want more coincidence? Baylor's LaceDarius Dunn tied Cooper for the season's third highest scoring output by scoring 43 points in an 89-72 win over Morgan State last night. He went an impressive 10-18 from three in that game.

The craziest part of the night?

Neither of those two had the hottest hand. That award has to go to Virginia's Mustapha Farrakhan, who hit his first 11 shots -- eight of which came from three -- en route to 31 points as the 'Hoos rolled over Howard 84-63.

Whatever those guys were drinking, I'll take seven of them.