COLLEGE BASKETBALL / NIT ROUNDUP : Towson State Beats St. John’s in a Real New York Shocker

When the final second expired, a rare scene was played out: Visiting players were celebrating in St. John’s Alumni Hall.

The celebrants from Towson State started a bear-hugging, high-fiving, arm-waving victory dance after a shocking 66-65 upset over the Redmen on Thursday night at New York in the opening round of the Preseason NIT.

“It was unbelievable in a lot of ways,” said Scooter Alexander, who led the Tigers with 18 points.

Towson State scored only one point over the final 2:44, but the Tigers hung on.

The loss ended a 23-game winning streak at Alumni Hall for St. John’s and a 63-game streak there against nonconference opponents. The Redmen had never lost an opener in 25 seasons at Alumni Hall and had lost only one season opener since 1927.

No. 10 Minnesota 70, Rice 61--Randy Carter scored six points to ignite a 17-5 second-half run that carried the 1993 postseason NIT champion at Minneapolis.

Voshon Lenard scored 18 points for Minnesota.

The Owls, 18-10 and losers in the second round of the NIT last season, were led by Adam Peakes, who scored 16 points.

No. 22 Massachusetts 68, Cleveland State 60--Mike Williams scored seven points during an 11-0 run by the Minutemen midway through the second half at Amherst, Mass.

Williams, who scored 23 points, woke up his teammates with a three-point play followed by a jumper and two free throws. The spurt gave the Minutemen a 57-45 lead with 10 minutes to play, and Cleveland State was unable to recover.

Georgia 89, Alabama State 67--Shandon Anderson scored 22 points to lead the Bulldogs at Athens, Ga.