The trio of Taylor Battle, Jamelle Cornley and Andrew Jones led Penn State to a 67-59 win over Notre Dame Tuesday to reach the NIT finals. The Nittany Lions (26-11) will play Baylor for the championship Thursday. The Bears beat San Diego State 76-62 in the other semifinal Tuesday.

Luke Harangody made four of Notre Dame's eight free throws over the final 1:30 Wednesday, lifting the Fighting Irish to a 77-67 NIT win over Kentucky. Notre Dame reached the tournament's semifinals and will meet Penn State next Tuesday in New York. Harangody led the way with 30 points and 11 rebounds, boosting Notre Dame to 21-14 for the season.

A layup by Tory Jackson with 2 seconds to play Thursday night allowed Notre Dame to escape with a 70-68 win over New Mexico in the NIT's second round. The Fighting Irish (20-14) raced to a 20-6 lead, but New Mexico clawed back to take a six-point advantage with 2:08 to play on Dairese Gary's two free throws. Notre Dame then ran off eight straight points and moved in front at 68-66 on two foul shots by Luke Harangody.

Luke Harangody's 22 points and 10 rebounds Tuesday lifted Notre Dame to a 70-64 win over Alabama-Birmingham in first-round action of the NIT. Kyle McAlarney added 12 points for the Fighting Irish (19-14). Robert Vaden's game-high 24 points led the Blazers (22-12.

Scottie Reynolds made 6-of-7 3-pointers and scored 23 points Monday night to help 16th-ranked Villanova post a 77-60 win over Notre Dame. Dante Cunningham added 18 points and eight rebounds and Shane Clark scored 13 for the Wildcats (24-6, 12-5 Big East), who won for the fourth time in their last five games. The Wildcats stand a half-game behind Marquette for the No.