Memphis claims its second NIT title

Boogie Ellis scored 23 points and Memphis did not trail after a fast start in a 7764 victory over Mississippi State on Sunday in the NIT championship game in Frisco, Texas.

After just missing the NCAA Tournament, the Tigers went into the NIT as a No. 1 seed and won college basketball’s oldest postseason tournament for the second time. They also were NIT champs in 2002.

“We want to win championships, and the NIT is just a start,” Memphis head coach Penny Hardaway said.

Landers Nolley II opened the second half with a jumper and a 3pointer that put Memphis (208) ahead to stay. Nolley is one of three sophomore starters for the Tigers, who also had a freshman and junior among the starting five.

Memphis won 11 of its last 13 games, the only losses onepossession setbacks six days apart against Houston, an NCAA Elite Eight team. The Tigers have their fourth consecutive 20win season, including three since Hardaway became their head coach.

The Tigers led 130 in less than 71⁄2 minutes before missing 11 shots in a row and 21 of 26 before halftime. Mississippi State (1815) tied the game 3333 when Andersson Garcia had a steal on a bad pass at midcourt and drove for a layup to beat the halftime buzzer.

Cameron Matthews had 19 points to lead the Bulldogs. Louisiana Tech 76, Colorado State 74: Kenneth Lofton Jr. scored 27 points as the Bulldogs (248) beat the Rams (204) in the NIT’s thirdplace game in Frisco.

⏩ Indiana alum Mike Woodson, an assistant coach with the New York Knicks who has a 315365 record as an NBA head coach, signed a sixyear deal to be the head coach at his alma mater.

Woodson, 63, replaces Archie Miller, who was fired.

WOMEN’S NIT

Rice 71, Mississippi 58: Nancy Mulkey had 19 points, 12 rebounds and seven blocks, Lauren Schwartz added 19 points and five assists, and the Owls (234) beat the Rebels (1512) in the WNIT championship game in Memphis.

Shakira Austin scored 25 points for Mississippi.