COLLEGE BASKETBALL ROUNDUP : Despite Win, Miami Coach’s Final Game Is Bittersweet

Bill Foster had an empty feeling after his final game as coach at the University of Miami.

Only 2,397 fans showed up at 15,000-seat Miami Arena Tuesday night to see the Hurricanes defeat Florida International, 83-55.

The victory gave the the Hurricanes a 13-15 record and ended their worst season since Foster resurrected the program in 1985 after a 15-year hiatus.

“There are some things we didn’t get done that I’d have liked to get done, and that bothers me,” Foster said. “It’s a little bittersweet.”

Foster, who announced last fall that this season would his last with the Hurricanes, had a 78-71 record at Miami. His teams failed to earn a postseason bid and attendance was rarely more than 3,000.

Sophomore Jerome Scott scored a career-high 22 points for the Hurricanes.

TOURNAMENTS

Missouri Valley

Illinois St. 81, Southern Illinois 78--Rickey Jackson made three free throws in the final 1:26 as the Redbirds upset the Salukis at Normal, Ill., giving Illinois State an NCAA tournament berth.

East Coast

Towson St. 73, Lehigh 60--Kurk Lee scored 22 points to lead the Tigers to the championship at Towson, Md., and their first NCAA tournament berth.

Devin Boyd added 13 points and Kelly Williamson had 11 for the Tigers (18-12).

Dozie Mbonu scored 23 points to lead Lehigh (18-12), which was seeking its third NCAA tournament bid in six seasons. The Engineers won the ECC tournament in 1985 and 1988, only to lose in the first round of the NCAA tournament both years.

North Atlantic

Vermont 78, Maine 75--Matt Johnson converted six consecutive free throws in the final minute at Hartford, Conn. as the Catamounts advanced to the semifinals where they will meet Northeastern, the NAC regular season champion.

Kevin Roberson led Vermont (12-16) with 23 points.

Derrick Hodge scored a team-high 26 points for Maine (11-17).

Colgate 54, Hartford 53--Devin Hughes scored 18 points and made a three-point shot with 1:58 left as the Red Raiders (8-20) advanced to the semifinals.

Lamont Middleton scored a team-high 18 points for Hartford (17-11), which had beaten Colgate by 26 and 16 points during the regular season.

Boston U. 63, New Hampshire 56--Mark Daly scored 20 points to lead the Terriers (16-11), who advanced to a semifinal against Colgate.