Santa Barbara Never Threatened in Beating TCU

Erin Buescher had 25 points and 10 rebounds and Stacey Clinesmith had 11 points and 12 assists to lead No. 15 UC Santa Barbara to an 86-61 victory over visiting Texas Christian on Wednesday night in the second round of the Women’s Preseason NIT.

The Gauchos (2-0) advanced to Sunday’s semifinals and will play at No. 13 Illinois.

The Gauchos, who shot 58% from the field, led by as many as 22 points in the first half before TCU (1-1) closed within 40-26 at halftime.

A 14-5 run at the start of the second half put the game away for Santa Barbara. Kristi Rohr scored 14 of her 16 points in the second half.

The Horned Frogs, who committed 22 turnovers, were led by Amy Sutton’s 12 points.

No. 3 Georgia 65, No. 18 Virginia Tech 60--Kelly Miller scored four points over the final 37 seconds to secure the Bulldogs’ victory in the second round of the Women’s Preseason NIT at Blacksburg, Va.

Camille Murphy had a career-high 16 points and made five of Georgia’s six three-pointers for the Bulldogs (2-0), who advanced to Sunday’s semifinals against No. 20 Boston College.

Miller, who finished with 13 points, closed the scoring with a jumper with 37 seconds left and a layup as time expired.

The Hokies fell to 2-1.

No. 20 Boston College 77, No. 22 Duke 70--Cal Bouchard scored 20 points and made a key three-point basket with 2:39 left to lead the Eagles (2-0) to a victory over the Blue Devils (1-1) in the second round of the Women’s Preseason NIT at Durham, N.C.

Duke trailed, 71-70, with 1:03 left after a three-pointer by Georgia Schweitzer, but the Blue Devils missed six of their final seven shots, and Boston College went six for six from the foul line over the final 46 seconds.

No. 13 Illinois 77, Oklahoma State 62--Susan Blauser scored 25 points to lead the Fighting Illini (2-0) to victory in the Women’s Preseason NIT at Champaign, Ill.

Allison Curtin added 18 points and four assists for Illinois, which took the lead early and was ahead, 42-30, at halftime.

Tari Cummings scored 17 points to lead Oklahoma State (1-1).