Gamecocks Beat Vandy, Play Sec Rival Alabama

Malik Russell scored 17 points and pulled in eight rebounds as South Carolina defeated Vanderbilt 80-70 Monday night at Columbia, S.C., to move into the third round of the National Invitation Tournament.

South Carolina (19-11) will have the home-court advantage for the NIT’s third round against Southeastern Conference rival Alabama.

The Gamecocks’ defensive pressure kept hot-shooting Vanderbilt guard Frank Seckar scoreless until almost 3 minutes into the second half. Seckar finished with 16 points to lead the Commodores (18-14).

Alabama 72, Missouri 49

At Tuscaloosa, Ala., center Roy Rogers dominated to lead the Crimson Tide (18-11) to a victory over the Tigers (18-15).

Rogers finished with 20 points, 13 rebounds and nine blocks for Alabama (18-11).

Tulane 84, Minnesota 65

At Minneapolis, guard Chris Cameron scored nine of his 20 points in a 22-6 rally to start the game and power the Green Wave (20-9) into the quarterfinals with a win over the Golden Gophers (19-13).

Jerald Honeycutt added 16 points for Tulane, which will next meet Illinois State.

Illinois St. 77, Wisconsin 62

At Madison, Wis., Maurice Trotter scored 19 points as the Redbirds pulled away to a victory over the Badgers.

Trotter scored 12 of his points in the second half to help Illinois State (22-11) overcome a career-high 28 point performance by Sam Okey of Wisconsin (17-15).