Posted at 3:39 p.m., Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Georgia ousts Fresno State from NIT, 88-78
Associated Press
ATHENS, Ga. — Levi Stukes led a barrage of 3-pointers, finishing with a season-high 30 points, in Georgia's 88-78 victory over Fresno State in the first round of the NIT on tonight.The schools combined to hit 31 of 62 shots beyond the arc. Stukes finished 8-of-9 on 3s. Hector Hernandez and Dominic McGuire each hit seven for Fresno State, which set a school record with 18 treys.
Georgia (19-13) had dropped three of four, including a blowout loss to No. 3 Florida in the second round of the Southeastern Conference tournament last week. They will play the winner of Austin Peay-Air Force on Monday.
A victory by Air Force, seeded No. 1 in the NIT West, would send Georgia to play the Falcons in Colorado Springs for the second round. If Austin Peay wins, Georgia would play another home game.
Fresno State (22-10) hit two more 3s than the previous school record set Dec. 23 in a 20-point win over Cal Poly.
Corey Butler's 3 from the right corner gave Georgia its biggest lead at 84-64 with 5:09 remaining.
Fresno State's last single-digit deficit came at the 11:32 mark when Eddie Miller hit a 3 from the right wing.
McGuire had 10 assists for Fresno, which had won six straight before falling to Boise State in the first round of the Western Athletic Conference tournament last week.
Hernandez and McGuire each finished with 21 points. Takais Brown scored 21, and Sundiata Gaines had seven assists for Georgia.
