Temple moves on to NIT semifinals

PHILADELPHIA -- Quenton DeCosey had 21 points and 11 rebounds, Jesse Morgan scored 17 points and Temple advanced to the NIT semifinals with a 77-59 victory over Louisiana Tech on Wednesday night.

In his final home game, Will Cummings added 15 points and six assists for the top-seeded Owls (26-10), the first team left out of the NCAA Tournament field.

Seeking its third NIT title, Temple will play Miami on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden. It will be the school's fifth trip to the semifinals.

Erik McCree scored 14 points for third-seeded Louisiana Tech (27-9), the Conference USA regular-season champion.

For its second straight NIT game, the Owls never trailed. After the Bulldogs cut it to five early in the second half, Morgan hit consecutive 3-pointers to cap a 12-4 run and help Temple pull away.

Louisiana Tech senior Speedy Smith, the Conference USA Player of the Year, was injured on a drive with 12 minutes remaining and was carried to the locker room. He finished with eight points and five assists.