Unlikely 3 Lets Hokies Top Nmsu

NIT

Travis Jackson made just one shot in the second half of Virginia Tech’s NIT quarterfinal game against New Mexico State, and he would have been on the bench in the final minutes if a starter had not fouled out.

But it was the 6-foot-8 center’s 3-pointer from the corner with 1.9 seconds left that lifted the Hokies to a 64-61 win Wednesday night.

Ace Custis, Virginia Tech’s leading scorer, drew a crowd when he drove toward the basket in the final seconds. He pitched the ball out to Jackson and moved in for a possible put-back.

The Aggies didn’t suspect Jackson was in his favorite spot.

“I’m 3-for-3 from the corner,” Jackson said. “That’s a shot I like to take.”

Virginia Tech advances to New

York for the semifinals Monday against the winner of today’s Washington State-Canisius game.Virginia Tech squandered a 20-point lead in the second half

VaTech 64, New Mexico St. 61

NEW MEXICO ST. (25-10)

Jordan 2-7 2-4 6, Wyatt 4-14 3-5 13, Selvie 2-6 0-1 4, Brewer 7-18 3-4 20, Walker 5-11 2-2 13, Hicks 2-4 1-1 5, McCoy 0-3 0-0 0. Totals 22-63 11-17 61.

VIRGINIA TECH (23-10)

Custis 5-12 3-6 13, D.Jackson 2-14 2-2 7, Smith 6-10 3-5 15, Watlington 2-8 2-2 7, Good 6-9 0-1 15, T.Jackson 3-8 0-0 7. Totals 24-61 10-16 64.

Halftime-Virginia Tech 39, New Mexico St. 20. 3-Point goals-New Mexico St. 6-23 (Brewer 3-9, Wyatt 2-7, Walker 1-4, McCoy 0-3), Virginia Tech 6-20 (Good 3-5, T.Jackson 1-1, Watlington 1-5, D.Jackson 1-9). Fouled out-Selvie, Smith. Rebounds-New Mexico St. 40 (Wyatt 7), Virginia Tech 43 (Custis 18). Assists-New Mexico St. 8 (Jordan, Brewer 3), Virginia Tech 12 (Custis 5). Total fouls-New Mexico St. 18, Virginia Tech 12. A-9,523.

Marquette 57, S. Florida 50 (OT)

In Milwaukee, freshman Aaron Hutchins provided the heroics off the bench for the third straight game, hitting a 3-pointer in overtime as Marquette beat the Bulls.

Chucky Atkins missed a chance to

win it in regulation for South Florida when he missed the back end of a 1-and-1 with 2 seconds left and the score tied at 43.

SOUTH FLORIDA (18-12)

Salters 2-5 2-3 6, Robinson 4-10 1-1 9, Rush 3-4 4-6 10, Summers 1-4 0-2 3, Atkins 5-17 3-4 17, Delancey 0-0 0-0 0, Harper 1-2 0-1 2, Lamb 0-0 0-0 0, E.Kinslow 1-2 1-1 3. Totals 17-44 11-18 50.

MARQUETTE (20-11)

Eford 4-15 5-7 13, Abraham 1-3 0-1 2, A.McCaskill 5-11 4-6 14, Miller 1-9 3-5 5, Pieper 0-5 1-2 1, Streater 1-2 0-0 2, Crawford 0-1 0-0 0, Hutchins 6-10 2-2 18, Joseph 1-1 0-0 2, Gates 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 19-58 15-23 57.

Halftime-Marquette 20, SF 19. End of Regulation-SF 43, Marquette 43. 3-Point goals-SF 5-16 (Atkins 4-11, Summers 1-1, Salters 0-1, E.Kinslow 0-1, Robinson 0-2), Marquette 4-20 (Hutchins 4-8, Eford 0-3, Pieper 0-4, Miller 0-5). Fouled out-Summers. Rebounds-SF 32 (Salters 11), Marquette 40 (A.McCaskill 10). Assists-SF 6 (Atkins 4), Marquette 12 (Miller 12). Total fouls-SF 21, Marquette 21. Technical- Marquette coach Deane. A-9,036.