Balance helps Loyola reach CBI semis

Earl Peterson led four players in double figures with 19 points, including an 11- for- 11 effort from the free- throw line, and Loyola topped Oral Roberts 86- 78 on Monday at the Gentile Center to reach the semifinals of the College Basketball Invitational.

Montel James added 17 points, Christian Thomas 15 and Milton Doyle 14 for the Ramblers ( 21- 13), who shot 53 percent from the field and had a 43- 24 rebounding edge.

Aaron Young scored 26 points, Bobby Word 22 and Obi Emegano 10 for the Golden Eagles ( 19- 15), who trailed 42- 27 at the half but scored 51 points after the break to make things interesting.

Old Dominion50, Illinois State49

Jonathan Arledge made a goahead layup with 19 seconds left, and the Monarchs ( 26- 7) edged the Redbirds ( 22- 13) in a second- round game in the National Invitation Tournament in Norfolk, Virginia. MiKyle McIntosh missed two free throws with 4.3 seconds left that would have given Illinois State the lead.

Keenan Palmore scored 11 points and Arledge 10 to lead Old Dominion. Daishon Knight scored 14 points and DeVaughn Akoon- Purcell 13 for the Redbirds.

Howland to Mississippi State

ESPN reported Mississippi State hired former UCLA coach Ben Howland to be their new coach and will introduce him at a news conference Tuesday. The network reported the sides agreed to terms on a four- year contract.

Howland, 57, coached the Bruins for 10 seasons and led them to three consecutive Final Fours ( 2006- 08) before being fired in 2013. He replaces Rick Ray, who was fired after compiling a 37- 60 record in three seasons with the Bulldogs.