N.C. State Bounces Duke

Top 25

Suddenly, the NIT isn’t good enough for North Carolina State.

After starting the Atlantic Coast Conference season a miserable 0-8, the Wolfpack pulled off one of the biggest upsets in ACC tournament history Friday, dumping top-seeded and No. 7 Duke 66-60 in the quarterfinals.

C.C. Harrison scored 28 points as the upstart Wolfpack (15-13) advanced to the semifinals for the first time in a decade.

The recent NIT hopefuls suddenly find the NCAA Tournament is within reach with two more wins.

(1) Kansas 74, Oklahoma St. 59

The Jayhawks (30-1) seemed to be on the verge of losing for the second time this season but held off the Cowboys (16-14) in the Big 12 tournament.

(3) Utah 72, (14) New Mexico 70

Keith Van Horn pulled off his second last-gasp winning shot in as many nights, hitting a 10-footer to give the Utes (25-3) a victory over the Lobos (24-8) in the Western Athletic Conference semifinals.

(4) South Carolina 72, Alabama 61

B.J. McKie scored 22 points, including four 3-pointers, as the Gamecocks (24-6) topped the Crimson Tide (17-14) to qualify for their first Southeastern Conference tournament semifinal.

(5) North Carolina 78, Virginia 68

Antawn Jamison scored 24 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lift the Tar Heels (22-6) over the Cavaliers (18-12) in the quarterfinals of the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament.

(6) Kentucky 92, Auburn 50

Ron Mercer scored 21 points as the Wildcats (28-4) routed the Tigers (16-15) in the quarterfinals of the Southeastern Conference tournament.

(8) Wake Forest 66, Florida St. 65

Tim Duncan’s 31 points and 13 rebounds boosted the Demon Deacons (23-5) over the Seminoles (16-11) in their bid for a third straight Atlantic Coast Conference tournament title.

Marquette 91, (10) Cincinnati 79

Chris Crawford scored 22 points and the Golden Eagles (21-8) made a season-high 13 3-pointers in beating the Bearcats (25-7) in the Conference USA tournament semifinals.

(22) Maryland 76, (13) Clemson 61

Obinna Ekezie had 20 points and 10 rebounds and the Terrapins (21-9) extended their dominance of the Tigers (21-9) in the ACC tournament.

(16) Iowa State 72, Texas Tech 70

Dedrick Willoughby scored 28 points, including the winning free throw, and the Cyclones (20-7) held off the Red Raiders in a Big 12 tournament game.

Oklahoma 55, (18) Colorado 41

The cold-shooting Buffaloes (21-9) hit a season-worst 25 percent in falling to the Sooners (19-9).

(19) St. Joseph’s 78, G. Wash. 70

Terrell Myers scored 21 points as the Hawks (23-6) edged the Colonials (15-13) to advance to the Atlantic 10 tournament final for the second time.

(21) Villanova 73, Providence 63

Freshman Tim Thomas scored 21 points as the Wildcats (23-8) rallied to defeat the Friars (21-11) in the semifinals of the Big East tournament.

(24) Georgia 65, Arkansas 63

Larry Brown scored with less than a second remaining as the Bulldogs (23-7) beat the Razorbacks (15-12) in the quarterfinals of the Southeastern Conference tournament.

Boston U. 68, Drexel 61

Tunji Awojobi carried the Terriers (25-4) to victory over the Dragons (22-8) and the America East’s automatic NCAA berth.