NATIONAL INVITATION TOURNAMENT : Houston Leads Tennessee to 71-68 Victory

Allan Houston scored 33 points, including a basket as he fell out of bounds, to lead Tennessee to a 71-68 victory over Alabama Birmingham Wednesday night in a first-round National Invitation Tournament game at Knoxville, Tenn.

The Volunteers rallied from a 10-point deficit with eight minutes left, scoring the last nine points of the game while the Blazers went scoreless in the final 4:48.

Houston’s 17-footer as he fell out of bounds with 1:34 left gave Tennessee a 69-68 lead, and two free throws with 14 seconds left by Corey Allen proved decisive.

Elbert Rogers led Alabama Birmingham (20-9) with 19 points.

Tennessee (19-14) played without Carlus Groves, its second-leading scorer, who was suspended for one game for fighting in the Southeastern Conference tournament last Friday against Louisiana State.

In other first-round NIT games:

Virginia 83, Villanova 80--The Cavaliers (16-13) barely held off a furious late effort by the Wildcats at Villanova, Pa.

Villanova trailed by nine points with 15 seconds left, but Chris Walker hit two three-point shots and the Wildcats had a chance to tie the game as time was running out.

Villanova stole an inbounds pass and Lance Miller was fouled as he missed a shot from the lane. Miller missed the first free throw and Virginia got the rebound of the intentionally missed second free throw with .04 seconds remaining.

Bryant Stith scored a game-high 29 points for Virginia, and Miller had 27 points for Villanova (14-15).

Pittsburgh 67, Penn State 65--Chris McNeal scored the Panthers’ last 12 points at State College, Pa., including a three-point play with 11 seconds that proved decisive.

Penn State (21-8) missed two shots and a tip-in attempt on its last possession in losing at home for the first time this season.

McNeal finished with a game-high 22 points. Pittsburgh is 18-15.

Washington State 72, Minnesota 70--Terrence Lewis and Ken Critton both had 16 points to lead the Cougars (22-10) at Pullman, Wash.

Arrial McDonald had 19 points for Minnesota (16-16).

Notre Dame 63, Western Michigan 56--Reserve Malik Russell scored all eight of his points during a late 13-3 run that allowed the Irish (15-14) to break open a close game at South Bend, Ind.

Western Michigan (21-9) shot 33% from the field.

Kansas State 85, Western Kentucky 74--Askia Jones scored 25 points and Vince Jackson had a career-best 21 points at Manhattan, Kan., as the Wildcats (16-13) posted their first-ever NIT victory.

Western Kentucky (21-11) shot 32% from the field.