Baylor's Josh Lomers (right) and Georgetown's Chris Wright compete for a rebound in an NIT game on Wednesday in Waco, Texas. Baylor defeated Georgetown 74-72.
WACO, Texas. – Baylor savored its first postseason basketball win in 59 years by defeating Georgetown 74-72 in the first round of the National Invitational Tournament.
“My grandma’s not even 59 years old,” joked Kevin Rogers, one of two Baylor players who scored 20 points against the Hoyas Wednesday night.
LaceDarius Dunn also scored 20 points and Curtis Jerrells added 19 for the Bears (21-14), who claimed their first NIT win in four appearances and first postseason victory since 1950.
Jerrells put Baylor ahead 74-69 with two free throws with eight seconds left. Georgetown (16-15) was led by DaJuan Summers with 19 points.
Trailing 44-34 at the half, Baylor opened the second half on 13-2 run and took a 47-46 lead with 16 1/2 minutes left to play. Dunn ignited the comeback with 11 points, with three 3-pointers.
“The first five minutes of the second half are the most important,” Dunn said. “Coach told us to get out there and get control of the game.”
Georgetown shot 76 percent from the floor in the first half.
Virginia Tech 116, Duquesne 108, 2 OT: In Blacksburg, Va., A.D. Vassallo scored 33 points and the Hokies scored on their first five possessions in the second overtime to overcome 46 points from Duquesne’s Aaron Jackson. The Hokies (19-14) will face Baylor in the second round Friday.
Florida 84, Jacksonville 62: In Gainesville, Fla., Nick Calathes broke a shooting slump with 19 points and Chandler Parsons added 17 points and 14 rebounds for Florida (24-10), which shot 63 percent in the first half.
Miami 78, Providence 66: In Providence, R.I., Jack McClinton made seven 3-pointers and scored 25 points in the first round of the NIT. The Hurricanes (19-12) will play Florida next.
Kansas State 83, Illinois State 79, OT: In Manhattan, Kan., Jacob Pullen scored seven of his career-high 32 points in overtime for the Wildcats (22-11). Champ Oguchi led Illinois State (24-10) with 23 points but fouled out in overtime.
Creighton 73, Bowling Green 71: In Omaha, Neb., P’Allen Stinnett scored 18 points, including two big free throws in the final minute, and Creighton came from behind. The Bluejays (27-7) will host Kentucky (21-13) in a second-round game Monday.
Tulsa 68, Northwestern 59: In Tulsa, Okla., Jerome Jordan scored 16 points as the Golden Hurricane (25-10) survived a late scoring drought to win their first game in the NIT since winning the title in 2001.
Auburn 87, Tenn-Martin 82: In Auburn, Ala., DeWayne Reed scored 23 points and Quantez Robertson added 19 in the first round of the NIT. Reed made five 3-pointers for the Tigers (23-11), who will face Tulsa Friday night.
Beavers win
CORVALLIS, Ore. – Forward Daniel Deane scored 14 points off the bench to lead Oregon State to a 49-45 win over Houston in the first round of the College Basketball Invitational.
• In Palo Alto, Calif., Stanford beat Boise State 96-76 in the first round of the CBI, led by Lawrence Hill’s 18 points and Landry Fields’ 16 points.
• Texas-El Paso will host a second-round CBI game Monday in El Paso instead of traveling to Northeastern.