College basketball

NIT: Aggies nearly cough up win

By wire services
Published March 20, 2005

ROSEMONT, Ill. - Texas A&M nearly let a flawless first half unravel into a DePaul comeback, but the Aggies survived a wild, mistake-prone finish by both teams for a 75-72 second-round victory Saturday.

The Aggies' (21-9) couldn't hold onto an 18-point halftime lead, but DePaul guard Sammy Mejia, whose hot-shooting helped bring the Blue Demons back, missed a potential game-tying 3-pointer in the final seconds.

DePaul (20-11) had the ball with 8.7 seconds left and a chance to tie it, but couldn't get the ball to senior sharpshooter Drake Denier. Mejia, a sub-30 percent 3-point shooter, missed the final shot.

MEMPHIS 83, VIRGINIA TECH 62: Rodney Carney scored 17, leading five Memphis players in double figures as the Tigers advanced to the third round. The Tigers (21-15) held a double-digit lead throughout the second half.

Jamon Gordon's 16 led the Hokies (16-14).

SAINT JOSEPH'S 55, BUFFALO 50: Pat Carroll scored 26 to lead Saint Joseph's to a first round win.

It was coach Phil Martelli's 200th career victory.

Carroll finished 10-for-18 from the floor and 4-for-9 from 3-point range for the Hawks (21-11).

Turner Battle led Buffalo (23-10) with 12 points.

DAVIDSON 82, SW MISSOURI STATE 71: Brendan Winters scored 22 to help Davidson (23-8) win a the first round game in Springfield, Mo. Deke Thompson led Southwest Missouri (19-13) with 15.

WICHITA ST. 84, WESTERN KENTUCKY 81: Jamar Howard scored 22 to lead Wichita State (22-9) to a first round victory in Wichita, Kan.

Anthony Winchester had 25 points for the Hilltoppers (22-9).

Jeff Lebo signed a seven-year contract that runs through the 2011-12 season.

Auburn (14-17) ended its season with a loss to LSU in the quarterfinals of the SEC tournament.

He will earn a base salary of $175,000, athletic director Jay Jacobs said Friday. Endorsements, radio and television agreements will bring another $575,000.

DIVISION III CHAMPIONSHIP: Wisconsin-Stevens Point repeated as III men's national champion with a 73-49 victory against Rochester. Jon Krull scored 22 to lead the Pointers (29-3). Rochester (25-5) got 14 from Jon Onyiriuka.

[Last modified March 20, 2005, 01:08:30]