College Basketball Roundup : Memphis St. Beats Michigan, 82-76, in Preseason NIT

Marvin Alexander scored 14 of his 21 points in the second half to lead Memphis State to an 82-76 victory over Michigan Monday night at Memphis in the second round of the preseason National Invitation Tournament.

The victory, Memphis State’s 39th straight at home, advanced the Tigers into the tournament semifinals Friday night at New York’s Madison Square Garden, where they will play Western Kentucky.

Alexander, who also pulled down 9 rebounds, scored 6 of Memphis State’s first 10 points in the second half as the Tigers, who trailed at halftime, 31-28, jumped out to a 38-33 lead after four minutes of the second half.

Michigan’s Gary Grant led all scorers with 32 points.

Western Kentucky 96, TCU 90--Center Tellis Frank scored a career-best 25 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead the Hilltoppers at Bowling Green, Ky.

Leading by two with 3:30 left, Western Kentucky scored six straight points for an 89-81 lead. Frank keyed the rally with a jumper and a tip-in.

TCU took a 53-49 halftime lead on the strength of a 24-9 run that began with 7:41 left in the first half. The Horned Frogs scored four three-point field goals during that stretch, three by Jamie Dixon.

Kannard Johnson scored 22 points for Western Kentucky, while Dixon led the Horned Frogs with 31.

Temple 80, Villanova 73--Nate Blackwell scored 19 points, including 15 in the second half to lead the Owls at Villanova. The Owls also advanced to the semifinals of the NIT. They’ll meet Nevada Las Vegas.

Temple got 19 points, including four three-point baskets, from Mike Vreeswyk. Villanova was led by Kenny Wilson with 21 points.

Temple trailed, 23-13, with 10 minutes left before halftime but outscored the Wildcats, 29-15, and led, 42-38 at the intermission.

Nevada Las Vegas 90, Oklahoma 81--Senior guard Freddie Banks scored 24 points to help the fifth-ranked Rebels win at Las Vegas.

Oklahoma’s Tim McCalister led all scorers with 32 points before fouling out in the final minute of the game before a crowd of 14,836 at the Thomas and Mack Center on the UNLV campus.

UNLV went ahead to stay on a jump shot by Armon Gilliam that made it 66-65 with 9:15 left.