S.C., Michigan meet in final

Wed., March 29, 2006

Associated Press The Spokesman-Review

Renaldo Balkman scored 23 points and South Carolina earned a chance to defend its NIT championship with a 78-63 win over Louisville (21-13) in the semifinals Tuesday night at New York’s Madison Square Garden.

The Gamecocks (22-15) can become the second team to win consecutive NIT crowns with a win over Michigan on Thursday night.

Michigan 66, Old Dominion 43: Courtney Sims scored 18 points to help the Wolverines (22-10) beat the Monarchs (24-10) and advance to the title game for the second time in three years.

Trailing 21-14 with 12:14 left in the first half, Michigan held the Monarchs without a field goal for the rest of the half. The Wolverines outscored the Monarchs 19-3 over that stretch.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.

S.C., Michigan meet in final

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

Gonzaga's Mark Few overwhelmed by Naismith Hall of Fame induction: 'You couldn't dream of something like this'

Mark Few reveals Gonzaga 'sliding doors' moment one day before Tommy Lloyd leads Arizona into Final Four

Updated: Twin brothers Javen, Jamarion Augustus eager to play final season together at Idaho