NIT Roundup : Wichita State Gives Gauchos Early Exit

Steve Grayer scored 18 points and grabbed 15 rebounds to lead Wichita State to a 70-62 victory over UC Santa Barbara Thursday night at Wichita, Kan., in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament.

Grayer hit three free throws and a basket in a two-minute span to help the Shockers (19-10) build a 59-52 lead with 5:35 remaining.

Tony Akins, who scored 19 points for the Gauchos (21-9), scored seven straight points to bring UCSB to within 62-59, the closest they would get after trailing, 40-38, early in the second half.

Carrick DeHart and Gary Gray each scored 12 points for UCSB, making its first NIT appearance.

California 73, Hawaii 57--Leonard Taylor scored 16 points and the Bears held the Rainbow Warriors scoreless for more than four minutes late in the victory at Berkeley.

Hawaii (17-13), making its first postseason appearance since 1974, was within 54-49 with 6:16 left before Cal (20-12) scored the next 13 points.

Ryan Drew and Matt Beeuwsaert scored 13 points each for Cal, while Troy Bowe had 17 points for Hawaii and Reggie Cross added 14 points and 12 rebounds.

New Mexico 91, Santa Clara 76--Rob Robbins scored 21 points and reserve Kurt Miller added 20 as the Lobos defeated the Broncos at Albuquerque, N.M.

Santa Clara (20-11) had a 54-53 lead, but New Mexico (21-10) took command with a 34-17 surge.

Mitch Burley scored 17 points and Jens Gordon added 16 points for Santa Clara.

Michigan State 83, Kent State 69--Steve Smith scored 28 points and the Spartans got past the Golden Flashes at Detroit.

Kent State (20-11) had a 47-42 lead 16 minutes remaining, but Michigan State (16-13) took the lead for good with 10 straight points, including two three-pointers by Mark Montgomery, who added 14 points.

Ric Blevins had 16 points for Kent State.

Alabama Birmingham 83, Georgia Southern 74--Reginald Turner scored 20 of his 29 points in the second half and the Blazers ousted the Eagles at Birmingham, Ala.

Turner hit nine of 12 shots in the second half as UAB (19-11) expanded its 38-37 halftime lead.

Jeff Sanders scored 24 points for Georgia Southern (23-6).

Nebraska 81, Arkansas State 79--Eric Johnson scored 18 points, including two free throws with 15 seconds left to lift the Cornhuskers to a victory over the Indians at Lincoln, Neb.

Richard van Poelgeest and Richard King each added 16 points for Nebraska (17-15). John Tate scored 23 points and Ed Louden had 22 for Arkansas State (20-10).