NIT ROUNDUP | Tuesday's games
Cincinnati 76, Minnesota 62
CINCINNATI -- Eric Hicks scored 23 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to help Cincinnati advance to the quarterfinals. The season will continue for the Bearcats, who were denied their 15th straight NCAA tournament berth despite 19 wins, a No. 40 ranking in the RPI and the fifth-strongest schedule in the country. The Bearcats (21-12) will play host to South Carolina Thursday with the winner advancing to the NIT semifinals at Madison Square Garden. James White added 17 points and Cedric McGowan had 11 points for Cincinnati. Hicks' four blocks gave him 110 for the season, breaking Kenyon Martin's single-season record of 107 in 1999-2000 and moving him into second place on the school's all-time list with 253, behind Martin's 292. Minnesota (16-15) was led by Vincent Grier's 18 points. Adam Boone added 12 points for the Gophers.
South Carolina 69, Florida St 68, OT
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- South Carolina thought it had already won the game in regulation. The Gamecocks made sure of it in overtime. Tarence Kinsey hit three free throws in the final 26 seconds and South Carolina beat Florida State to keep alive its hopes of becoming just the second school to repeat as NIT champions. Kinsey's final two free throws with 10 seconds left gave the Gamecocks as 69-66 lead. Todd Galloway's two free throws got Florida State within one with five seconds left and the Seminoles stole the inbounds pass, but Galloway's desperation jumper was blocked by Rocky Trice as the game ended. The Gamecocks (20-15) thought they had the game won in regulation when Renaldo Balkman banked in a short jumper at the buzzer with the game tied at 58, but officials ruled it was too late.
Associated Press