Randell Jackson scored 20 points and LaMarr Greer added 16 as Florida State beat Syracuse, 82-67, last night in the first round of the NIT.
The Orangemen (19-13), who reached the NCAA title game last season, failed to win 20 games for only the second time in Jim Boeheim's 21 years as coach.
Florida State (17-11), making its first postseason appearance in four years, will play Michigan State in the next round.
Florida State, which led, 30-24, at halftime, took command early in the second half. Jackson scored 11 points during a 21-9 run that put the visiting Seminoles ahead, 51-33, with 12:49 left, and a dunk by Corey Louis with 7:43 remaining gave the Seminoles their biggest lead, 64-42.
Syracuse closed to 70-61 on a 3-pointer by Janulis with 2:29 left but the Seminoles made six of eight free throws to clinch the win.
Otis Hill led Syracuse with 16 points. James Collins scored 14 points and Kirk Luchman had 13 for Florida State.
Notre Dame 74, Oral Roberts 58
Admore White scored 18 points to lead Notre Dame to a 74-58 win over Oral Roberts yesterday in the first round of the NIT.
Eight of White's points came during a key second-half run that put away the Golden Eagles (21-7).
Notre Dame (15-13) was up 35-29 at halftime and jumped out to a 44-33 cushion early in the second half. But the Golden Eagles clawed back within four at 49-45 with 8:35 left. The Irish then went on a 17-4 run, keyed by White, to put the game out of reach.
The inside play of Matt Gotsch and Phil Hickey played a major role in the victory. Gotsch, relegated to the bench for lackluster play his last two games, inspired his squad with 10 first-half points. Hickey then scored six points in the first four minutes of the second half to give Notre Dame an 11-point lead.
Gotsch finished with 15 points, while Hickey added nine points and eight rebounds.
Connecticut 71, Iona 66
At Storrs, Richard Hamilton scored nine of his 25 points down the stretch as UConn (15-14) held off Iona (22-8). Kevin Freeman added 18 points and 13 rebounds for the Huskies, while Bryan Matthew led Iona with 19 points.
Michigan State 65, George Washington 50
At East Lansing, Ray Weathers scored 18 points as Michigan State (17-11) defeated George Washington (15-14). Shawnta Rogers led the Colonials with 18 points, but the 5-foot-4 guard was only 6-for-18 from the field.
West Virginia 98, Bowling Green 95
At Morgantown, Seldon Jefferson scored 29 points as West Virginia (20-9) beat Bowling Green (22-10). Bowling Green had a chance to tie, but Antonio Daniels missed a 3-pointer as the buzzer sounded.
Pittsburgh 82, New Orleans 63
At Pittsburgh, Vonteego Cummings scored 25 points and the Panthers (18-14) used their height advantage to beat New Orleans (22-7).
Arkansas 101, Northern Arizona 75
At Fayetteville, Pat Bradley scored 17 of his 22 points in the second half as Arkansas (16-12) downed Northern Arizona (21-7). Andrew Mavis led Northern Arizona with 26 points.
Nebraska 67, Washington 63
At Lincoln, Mikki Moore and Bernard Garner hit free throws in the final 12 seconds to give defending champion Nebraska (17-14) the victory over Washington (17-11).
Texas Christian 85, Alabama-Birmingham 62
At Forth Worth, Mike Jones scored 18 points and reserve James Penny added 17 as Texas Christian (22-12) routed Alabama-Birmingham (18-14). Carlos Williams and Credric Dixon each scored 16 points for UAB.
Bradley 66, Drexel 53
At Peoria, Anthony Parker scored 15 points and Bradley (17-12) held Drexel (22-9) to 32 percent shooting from the field.
AP PHOTO
West Virginia just got by Bowling Green in the first round of the NIT last night in Morgantown. The Falcons' Antonio Daniels missed a 3-pointer at the final buzzer which would have tied the game. The Mountaineers will host North Carolina State in the second round.