Davidson earns ticket to dance

Another stellar performance by Stephen Curry, another Southern Conference title for No. 23 Davidson.

Curry scored 23 points to lead the Wildcats back into the NCAA tournament with their third straight league crown and fourth since 2002, beating Elon 65-49 Monday night in North Charleston, S.C.

Besides extending the country’s longest winning streak to 22 games, Davidson (26-6) continued its SoCon dominance. It has won 36 straight against league opponents, including all 23 games this season.

Curry’s a large reason why.

The Southern Conference player of the year hit three of his team’s first four baskets. The stylish sophomore’s 3-pointer early in second period gave Davidson a 39-26 lead, then he followed with two foul shots.

T.J. Douglas led the Phoenix (14-19) with 18 points, all on 3-pointers.

Siena 74, Rider 53: At Albany, N.Y., Tay Fisher matched his career high with six 3-pointers in scoring 21 points, and top-seeded Siena beat Rider to win the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference championship.

George Mason 68, William & Mary 59: At Richmond, Va., Folarin Campbell scored 20 points and Will Thomas added 18 points and 13 rebounds as the Patriots (23-10) beat the Tribe (17-16) to win the Colonial Athletic Association tournament.

The victory earned George Mason and coach Jim Larranaga a return to the tournament that made them America’s favorite underdogs two years ago.

UNC keeps top spot

North Carolina’s win over Duke kept the Tar Heels on top of the Associated Press basketball poll.

The top five teams held their spots from last week in the next-to-last poll of the season.

The Blue Devils dropped one place to seventh.

No. 24 BYU, ranked for five weeks earlier this season, made its way back to the polls.

Clemson dropped out of the poll.