March 20, 2010

Tar Heels Squeak By Bulldogs, 76-74; Advance to NIT Quarters

STARKVILLE, Miss. (AP) - Will Graves made a contested 3-pointer with 31 seconds left to give North Carolina a 76-74 win over Mississippi State on Saturday in the second round of the National Invitation Tournament.

Graves put the Tar Heels up 74-72 with his fourth 3-pointer of the game. Barry Stewart tied it for the Bulldogs (24-12) on two free throws, but Larry Drew II answered with a layup on the other end to seal the victory.

North Carolina (18-16) will face UAB on Tuesday, with a trip to New York and the semifinals on the line.

Graves was 6 for 10 from the field and 4 for 6 from beyond the arc. John Henson had 12 points and eight rebounds for the Tar Heels.

UAB Downs Pack 72-52

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) -Elijah Millsap had 27 points and 15 rebounds, and UAB never trailed for the second consecutive NIT game in beating North Carolina State 72-52 on Saturday.

The Blazers made eight of their first 11 shots while jumping out to a 19-5 lead. They extended their advantage to 26-7, as the Wolfpack committed nine turnovers in the first 12 minutes.

UAB led 37-17 at halftime. It was the fewest first-half points scored by NC State (20-16) this season.

Dennis Horner had 23 points and eight rebounds for NC State.