NIT roundup

Temple, UAB advance to third round

SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (AP) -- Brian Polk had 19 points and nine rebounds to lead Temple to a 61-53 win over Rhode Island in the second round of the NIT on Tuesday night.

Temple (18-15) will host Minnesota in the quarterfinals Thursday.

After building a 55-45 lead, the Owls didn't hit another field goal, but they were able to hold off Rhode Island's rally.

The Rams pulled within three, 56-53, on Brian Woodward's 3-pointer with 1:40 to play, but they didn't get any closer. Temple sank six free throws in the waning moments to ice the victory.

Dustin Hellenga scored 15 points to lead Rhode Island (19-12). Woodward added 12 points.

Maurice Collins had 13 for Temple.

The Rams built a 29-20 first-half lead after Hellenga hit a 3-pointer and scored on a breakaway dunk with 4:28 left. But the Rams went cold and didn't score again before halftime.

Temple responded with 10 unanswered points, capped by an alley-oop from Collins to Polk with 14 seconds remaining, and the Owls took a 30-29 lead into the locker room. Polk also hit a long 3-pointer during the Temple run.

UAB 80, Siena 71

ALBANY, N.Y. -- Demario Eddins had 19 points and eight rebounds to lead UAB past Siena 80-71 in the second round of the National Invitation Tournament.

After falling behind, 53-44, with 15:09 left, Siena scored 11 of the next 12 points to take a 55-54 lead. The Blazers regained the lead when Eric Bush scored two quick buckets, and UAB never trailed again.

The Saints tied the game four times, with the final tie coming at 64-64, before UAB went on a 16-7 spurt in the final 5:58, sparked by 3-pointers from Morris Finley and Sidney Ball.

Michael Haddix led Siena with 16 points, while Antoine Jordan and Tommy Mitchell added 12 points apiece. Prosper Karangwa had nine points.

Bush had 15 points and two steals for UAB, establishing a new Conference USA single-season record with 101 steals. Gabe Kennedy had 14 points and 12 rebounds for UAB, while Ball added 14 points and Finley 13 points and eight assists.

UAB will next play at St. John's on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

 

Related information

Stats

Temple-Rhode Island Box Score UAB-Siena Box Score

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