Crusaders oust Irish from NIT
Notre Dame didn’t play like a team that just missed out on an NCAA Tournament berth.
Holy Cross looked a lot more deserving of such a berth, outhustling and outplaying the Fighting Irish for a 78-73 victory Tuesday night at South Bend, Ind., in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament, the first postseason victory for the Crusaders in 24 years.
“Nobody expected us to win any games in this tournament,” said Kevin Hamilton, who led Holy Cross with a career-high 26 points. “We’re a mid-major team and we’re fighting for respect more than anything. The NIT is an honor to be invited to. It’s a big tournament, so you have to make the best of your opportunity.”
The Irish (17-12) turned over the ball 19 times and watched as the Crusaders (25-6) repeatedly beat them to loose balls.
“We just lost our composure,” said Chris Thomas, who led the Irish with 21 points, nine assists and seven rebounds.
The Fighting Irish trailed by 13 points early in the second half following a 23-5 run by Holy Cross, but they used a 9-2 run to close to 60-59. The Crusaders answered with five straight points and extended the lead to 10 points in the final minute.
Virginia Tech 60, Temple 50: At Blacksburg, Va., Virginia Tech spoiled John Chaney’s return to the Temple bench, using an 8-0 run in the second half to pull away and beat the Owls in the first round of the NIT.
Zabian Dowdell scored 12 of his 16 points in the second half for the Hokies (16-13). The Owls (16-14) had closed to 40-37 when the run started, but never got closer than five again.
The game was Chaney’s first since he served a three-week suspension for sending Nehemiah Ingram in to commit hard fouls that left Saint Joseph’s senior John Bryant with a broken arm in the regular season.
South Carolina 69, Miami 67: At Columbia, S.C., Josh Gonner’s driving basket with 2.1 seconds remaining lifted the Gamecocks to a victory.
The Gamecocks (16-13) led most of the game, but Miami moved out to a 64-60 lead after Guillermo Diaz hit a 3-pointer with 3:51 to go. Gonner then hit two foul shots, Carlos Powell tied it with a basket and Rocky Trice completed a three-point play that gave South Carolina a 67-64 lead with 22.7 seconds left.
But the Hurricanes (16-13) weren’t finished. Robert Hite hit his fifth 3-pointer with 8.5 seconds left, tying the game. Gonner then rushed up court, sprinting past Anthony Harris and leaning in for the winning basket.
DePaul 75, Missouri 70: At Columbia, Mo., Drake Diener scored a career-high 30 points and tied his career best with seven 3-pointers, leading the Blue Demons (20-10) to a victory over the Tigers (16-17) in the first round of the NIT.
Quemont Greer added 17 points for DePaul , which dropped to the NIT after losing three of the last four regular-season games.