Seminoles outscore Hoyas; SMU downs LSU

Published 3:07 am Tuesday, March 25, 2014

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Aaron Thomas matched a career-high with 26 points as top-seeded Florida State advanced to the NIT quarterfinals with a 101-90 victory against Georgetown on Monday night.

The Seminoles will host third-seeded Louisiana Tech on Wednesday night.

Florida State (21-13) shot a season-high 68.2 percent from the field and kept the Hoyas (18-15) from rallying. The 101 points scored were the most scored by Florida State since a 106-62 win against Charlotte on Dec. 17.

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Devon Bookert had career-highs in points (21) and assists (nine) while adding five rebounds and two steals for the Seminoles. Ian Miller returned from a foot injury to score 18, and Okaro White finished with 16.

Markel Starks led Georgetown with 27 points and D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera chipped in 22.

SMU 80, LSU 67

DALLAS (AP) — Nic Moore and Nick Russell each scored 16 points as SMU rallied from a 10-point first-half deficit to advance to the third round of the NIT.

The Mustangs (25-9), seeded first in their region, will host the winner of Monday night’s late game between Arkansas and California on Wednesday.

LSU (20-14), seeded fifth, finished with its most wins since 2008-09. The Tigers were led by Johnny O’Bryant III with 16 points.

An alley-oop pass from Anthony Hickey to Jarell Martin gave the Tigers a 38-28 lead with 3:35 to play in the first half. SMU closed the gap to 40-35 at halftime, and then went on a 26-9 run over the first 8 1/2 minutes of the second half to put the game away.