NIT/Monday’s games

Miami 81, Missouri State 72.

CORAL GABLES, FLA,

Durand Scott scored 20 points and Adrian Thomas added 16 to help Miami rally over Missouri State in the second round of the National Invitation Tournament. “I just wanted to win the game,” Thomas said. “I don’t want this season to end, because once it’s over, it’s official for me.” Second-seeded Miami (21-14) will play Alabama with a trip to New York for the NIT semifinals on the line. Missouri State (26-9) was led by Adam Leonard with 26 points and Kyle Weems, who scored 18 points. “A.T. was the reason we made that turnaround in the second half,” said point guard Durand Scott, who led the Canes with 20 points. “We just came out aggressive and stayed together on the defensive side. And we let A.T. go to work on the offensive side.” Leonard made 9 of 11 shots, including 7 of 8 on three-pointers. Missouri State led by as many as nine points in the first half.

Alabama 74, New Mexico 67

TUSCALOOSA, ALA.

Tony Mitchell scored 23 points and Trevor Releford matched his career-high with 20 to lead Alabama. The Crimson Tide (23-11), mostly known for its defense, made 15 of 20 shots in the second half to roll into the quarterfinals. Alabama will host Miami on Wednesday night, aiming for its sixth trip to the NIT final four at Madison Square Garden. Kendall Williams led New Mexico (22-13) with 18 points, including a couple of 3-pointers in the final 35 seconds to cut it to a six-point deficit. Then Charvez Davis hit one of two free throws with 24 seconds left to make it a three-possession game and the Lobos missed their 3-point attempt, anyway. Davis finished with 14 points and hit half of Alabama’s six 3-pointers.

Associated Press