Wichita State next for Cougars

Wichita State seniors Gabe Blair and J.T. Durley made their final home game memorable, combining for 30 points and leading the Shockers past the College of Charleston 82-75 on Wednesday night in an NIT quarterfinal at Wichita, Kan.

Blair had 16 points and Durley added 14 for Wichita State (27-8), which advanced to the semifinals in New York City, where it will face Washington State.

Joe Ragland scored 12 points for the Shockers while Toure Murry added 10.

Andrew Goudelock scored 23 of his 31 points in the second half for Charleston (26-11).

The Cougars cut a 12-point halftime deficit to 43-36 in the first 4 minutes of the second half, helped by two 3-pointers by Goudelock from beyond 26 feet. But Wichita State answered with a 15-1 run keyed by four points from Blair and a 3 by David Kyles to take a 58-37 lead.

As he exited a loud locker room into a jubilant hallway, Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall greeted boosters, friends and family by repeating three letters: MSG.

“A lot of emotions right now,” Marshall said. “It was wonderful.”

Clutch free-throw shooting – Wichita State was 19 of 21 – helped the Shockers hang on.

Alabama 79, Miami 64: Freshman guard Trevor Releford scored 22 points to lead the Crimson Tide (24-11) to a victory over the Hurricanes (21-15) in the quarterfinals at Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Senior Senario Hillman, playing in his last game in Coleman Coliseum where Alabama went a school-record 19-0 this season, scored 17 points and set a school record with 175 career steals.