MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Rodney Williams and Andre Hollins scored 24 points each to help Minnesota advance to the semifinals of the NIT with a 78-72 victory over Middle Tennessee on Wednesday night.
Elliott Eliason added 12 points and seven rebounds for Minnesota, while Hollins also had six rebounds and four assists.
Marcos Knight led Middle Tennessee (27-7) with 19 points and nine rebounds.
Minnesota (22-14) will face Pacific-12 regular-season champion Washington at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday. It will mark the Gophers’ first appearance in the NIT semifinals since 2003.
Minnesota handed Middle Tennessee only its second home loss of the season. The Blue Raiders had won 13 in a row at the Murphy Center since an 87-84 loss in double overtime to Belmont on Nov. 20.
STANFORD 84, NEVADA 56
STANFORD, Calif. — Josh Owens and Chasson Randle each scored 15 points to help Stanford beat Nevada and earn a spot in the NIT semifinals.
Josh Huestis added 12 points for the Cardinal (24-11), who will meet Massachusetts at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday. Aaron Bright had 10 points for Stanford.
Malik Story scored 14 points to lead the Wolf Pack (28-7). Deonte Burton added 13 points and Olek Czyz had 11.
At a glance
All times Central
QUARTERFINALS WEDNESDAY’S GAMES
Minnesota 78, Middle Tennessee 72 Stanford 84, Nevada 56
SEMIFINALS Madison Square Garden, New York TUESDAY, MARCH 27
UMass (24-10) vs. Stanford (24-11), 6 p.m. Washington (24-10) vs. Minnesota (22-14), 8 p.m.
Sports, Pages 18 on 03/22/2012