NIT : Loss Hard to Take for Gonzaga

The National Invitation Tournament is not a consolation prize for every team in its field.

When it’s your first postseason appearance in 36 years in Division I, the NIT is serious and losing is devastating.

“There are 13 kids down here, and they are all crying because it means a lot to them,” said Gonzaga Coach Dan Fitzgerald after his Bulldogs (22-8) were beaten, 66-64, by Kansas State (19-12) at Manhattan, Kan. “I told them this was something that we will remember for the rest of our lives.”

Askia Jones scored a game-high 22 points, including two free throws with 4.9 seconds to play, to preserve the win for Kansas State, which now plays Fresno State.

Bradley 79, Old Dominion 75--Deon Jackson scored 27 points and Bradley (23-7) rallied from a 14-point second-half deficit to beat the Monarchs (21-10) at Peoria, Ill., and advance to a quarterfinal game against Sienna on Thursday.

Siena 89, Tulane 79--Doremus Bennerman scored 33 points for the second consecutive game, leading Siena (23-7) past the Green Wave (18-11) at Albany, N.Y.

Fresno State 68, Brigham Young 66--Seth Marshall sank two free throws in the final 11 seconds, lifting the Bulldogs (21-10) over the Cougars (22-10).