The Missouri State Bears weren't able to make lemons out of NCAA Tournament Snub lemonade Monday—they lost 81-72 to the Miami Hurricanes in the second round of the NIT, struggling to the gate on their way to a 55-40 second half deficit. Adam Leonard scored 26 in the loss, with Kyle Weems struggling from the field on the way to 18 of his own. Durand Scott led the way for Miami, with 20 points, five rebounds, and four assists. Adrian Thomas's 14 points in the first five minutes of the second half led the way to the Hurricanes' comeback; a late Missouri State rally wasn't enough.
No. 1 seed Alabama holds a commanding lead over New Mexico in another of tonight's games; the winner will play Miami, with the winner of that game going to the NIT semifinals in New York.
Missouri State's loss to Indiana State in the Missouri Valley Tournament finals kept them out of March Madness proper; after one win in the NIT they've reached the end of a season that wasn't quite as successful as it could have been.