Roundup: Kyle Kuzma scores 38, James Harden drops 51 in Lakers-Rockets battle

What. A. Game. Former Ute Kyle Kuzma scored 38 points to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 122-116 win over the Houston Rockets in H-Town, going 12-of-17 from the floor and 7-of-10 from deep (ESPN). The late first-rounder continues to play his way into the Rookie of the Year race.

By the way, this game also featured James Harden ripping off 51 points, but it wasn’t enough to continue the Rockets’ 14-game winning streak.

Paul Myerberg of USA TODAY Sports considers Washington a winner in the early signing day period, hauling in a class that should rank around the top 10 when it’s all said and done.

Thuc Nhi Nguyen recaps Chip Kelly’s first early signing day at UCLA. The Bruins still have a few key guys waiting to sign until the Feb. 7 signing day, but they still have a top-20 class.

Mike Lefkow of the Bay Area News Group breaks down Cal football’s early signing day class. A lot of local flavor for the Golden Bears.

Stanford women’s soccer midfielder Andi Sullivan was named the Honda Sport Award winner for soccer, it was announced Wednesday by the Collegiate Women’s Sports Awards (GoStanford.com). Sullivan helped pace the Cardinal to its second national championship.

Good news for Wildcats fans, as Bob Hille of SportingNews.com reports that Allonzo Trier’s knee injury isn’t serious and he is likely to play Thursday against UConn. Trier suffered what head coach Sean Miller called a “mild knee sprain” and bone bruise in Monday’s win over North Dakota State.

USC men’s basketball has declared De’Anthony Melton ineligible amid the FBI investigation, his attorney told the Los Angeles Times (CBS Sports on the link). The sophomore guard hasn’t played in any of the Trojans’ first 10 games this season.

Oregon State alum and current Los Angeles Rams punter Johnny Hekker is helping raise money for Southern California wildfire relief. The former Beaver and recent Pro Bowl selection is donating 100% of the profits from shirts he's selling to local United Way chapters in the hardest hit areas.

Colorado running back Phillip Lindsay was named the Colorado Chapter of the National Football Foundation state offensive player of the year. People in the know call it the CCNFF (I actually think it might be the NFFCC according to another link on this site; all I know is that kktv.com is leaving me thoroughly confused on the matter).

Here’s the Pac-12 Networks recap of Oregon men’s basketball beating Central Arkansas 96-82 Wednesday night behind 62 percent shooting as a team and 24 points from Payton Pritchard.

Washington State men’s basketball lost 68-65 to Kansas State Wednesday night in Spokane, and here’s the AP recap to prove it. Carter Skaggs led the way with 24 for the Cougs.