NIT ROUNDUP : Not in Top 64? Georgia Tech Not Even No. 65

Spurned by the NCAA, Georgia Tech was shocked in the National Invitation Tournament on Wednesday.

The Yellow Jackets of the Atlantic Coast Conference were overwhelmed down the stretch by Siena, losing, 76-68, in the first round of the NIT at Albany, N.Y.

“There were a lot of comments by (Georgia Tech) Coach (Bobby) Cremins,” Siena Coach Mike Deane said. “He was worried about getting his team ready because of the disappointment of the NCAAs.”

Siena (22-7) kept its composure when Georgia Tech (16-13) went ahead, 64-60, with 3:25 to play. Siena guard Doremus Bennerman, who finished with 33 points, scored his team’s next nine points and drew the fourth and fifth fouls on Georgia Tech guard Travis Best.

Bennerman’s three-point shot from the top of the key with 56 seconds to play broke a 66-66 tie.

“We did not make smart decisions with the ball,” Cremins said.

OTHER GAMES

Cedric Neloms and Patrick Baldwin sparked a second-half comeback and Northwestern (15-13) was a 69-68 winner over DePaul (16-12) at Evanston, Ill. . . . Brian Grant scored 17 points to lead Xavier of Ohio (21-7) to an 80-68 victory over Miami of Ohio (19-11) at Cincinnati. . . . Derrick Alston hit a short hook shot with eight seconds to play at Pittsburgh to lift Duquesne (17-12) to a 75-73 victory over North Carolina Charlotte (16-13). . . . Deon Jackson and Chad Kline scored 16 points each at Peoria, Ill., to lead Bradley (22-7) to a 66-58 victory over Murray State (23-6). . . . Kim Lewis scored 23 points at Evansville, Ind., as Tulane (18-10) was a 76-63 winner over Evansville (21-11). . . . Billy McCaffrey scored 12 points in the second half to help Vanderbilt (17-11) rally to a 77-67 victory over Oklahoma (15-13) at Norman, Okla. . . . Dedric Willoughby hit a three-pointer in overtime in New Orleans (20-9) to key a 79-73 victory over Texas A&M; (19-11).