MEN'S BASKETBALL | NIT roundup

Clemson 74, Syracuse 70
CLEMSON, S.C. -- K.C. Rivers had a career-high 29 points and Clemson advanced to the NIT semifinals on Wednesday. It was the Tigers' (24-10) ninth straight NIT victory at home. But this one did not come easily. Syracuse (24-11) cut Clemson's 17-point lead to 69-68 on Demetris Nichols' tip-in with 19.8 seconds left. However, Rivers, the team's best free-throw shooter, hit a pair of foul shots to extend the lead. Josh Wright's open 3-pointer with about 10 seconds left bounced off the rim and into the arms of Tiger guard Vern Hamilton. Hamilton followed with two foul shots to clinch the victory -- and Clemson's first trip to Madison Square Garden since 1999. Then, the Tigers were second to champ Cal. This time, they can keep a curious streak alive for the Palmetto State as they try and become the third straight South Carolina team -- the Gamecocks won the past two NITs -- to hold the trophy. Clemson will take on either DePaul or Air Force in Tuesday's semifinal.
West Virginia 71,North Carolina State 66
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -- Frank Young scored 25 points, including 14 straight in the second half as West Virginia defeated North Carolina State on Tuesday to advance to the NIT semifinals. Young set the single-season school record with his first 3-pointer, then buried five more, including three in the last six minutes to help West Virginia advance to its first NIT semifinal since 1981. Young has 107 3-pointers for the year, eclipsing the mark of 101 set by Chris Leonard in 1992. The Mountaineers (25-9), the top seed in the East Region, beat N.C. State for the second time this season. The sixth-seeded Wolfpack (20-16) had won five of their last six but couldn't contain Young, who hit consecutive 3-pointers to give WVU a 64-62 advantage with 2:52 left. Alex Ruoff followed with another 3-pointer and the Mountaineers grabbed the edge for good at 67-65 with 2:00 left in a game that had 13 lead changes and six ties. Ruoff finished with 15 points and a career-high 11 assists. DaSean Butler added eight points off the bench. N.C. State was led by Brandon Costner with 25 points. Engin Astur added 14 and Gavin Grant scored 12. West Virginia's 25 wins are its most in 19 years. The Mountaineers play South Region top seed Mississippi State in the semifinals on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Associated Press
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