Wichita State and Alabama will meet Thursday in the NIT Championship Game (7 p.m., ESPN2) following victories Tuesday in the semifinals. Wichita State routed Washington State, 75-44, and Alabama edged Colorado, 62-61. Recaps of each game are below.
Alabama 62, Colorado 61
Trevor Releford converted the game-winning layup with 12.6 seconds remaining for Alabama. Releford finished with 13 points, six assists and four steals for the top-seeded Crimson Tide (25-11), who were led in scoring by JaMychal Green. He had 22 points before fouling out. Colorado finishes the season 24-14.
For more on the Buffaloes, check out SB Nation’s Ralphie Report. To connect with Alabama fans, visit Roll Bama Roll.
Wichita State 75, Washington State 44
Garrett Stutz scored a career-high 24 points as the Wichita State Shockers (28-8) crushed the Washington State Cougars (22-13) Tuesday night. Also scoring in double figures for the Shockers were Toure' Murry and Gabe Blair with 13 and 10 points, respectively. No Washington State players scored in double figures.
Tuesday, March 29th:
No. 4 Wichita State defeats No. 2 Washington State, 75-44
No. 1 Alabama defeats No. Colorado, 62-61
Thursday, March 31st
NIT Championship Game: No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 4 Wichita State 7 p.m. ET, ESPN2