UNC layup topples Miss. State in NIT

STARKVILLE, Miss. — Larry Drew II kept North Carolina alive in the postseason, hitting a shot over center Jarvis Varnado with two seconds to play to give the Tar Heels a 76-74 victory over Mississippi State, a top seed, Saturday in the second round of the NIT.

The 6-foot-2 guard drove against the 6-9 Varnado, second in the nation with 4.8 blocks.

"I just wanted to give it a chance to go in," Drew said. "It was all instinct."

Will Graves made a 3-pointer with 31 seconds left to give the Tar Heels a 74-72 lead, then Barry Stewart tied it for the Bulldogs (24-12) with two free throws.

"After they hit their free throws, I told Larry just to push it," UNC coach Roy Williams said.

North Carolina (18-16), a fourth seed, plays at Alabama-Birmingham on Tuesday.

UAB 72, N.C. State 52: Elijah Millsap had 27 points and 15 rebounds as host Alabama-Birmingham (25-8) tied the school record for wins in beating the Wolfpack. The Blazers held N.C. State to its fewest first-half points this season (17).

Texas Tech 69, Jax 64: Brad Reese had 19 points and 10 rebounds as the host Red Raiders (19-15) overcame an 11-point first-half deficit to beat Jacksonville. Ben Smith scored 17 to lead the Dolphins (20-13). Tech travels to play Mississippi on Tuesday.

Other basketball

Hawaii: Former Southern Cal assistant Gib Arnold was hired to replace men's coach Bob Nash, who was fired after going 34-56 in three seasons.

Penn State: Starting guard Chris Babb and reserve forward Bill Edwards will transfer closer to their homes — Arlington, Texas and Middletown, Ohio.

Division III: Matt Moses scored 22 and Jared Jenkins added 17 as Wisconsin-Stevens Point (29-4) beat Williams College 78-73 in Salem, Va., to win its third Division III title in seven years.