Middle Tennessee Vs. Minnesota Final Score: Golden Gophers Advance To NIT Semifinals With 78-72 Win

The Minnesota Golden Gophers will continue their nice run in the National Invitational Tournament, advancing to the semifinals by knocking off No. 4 Middle Tennessee on Wednesday night, 78-72. Minnesota will now play No. 1 Washington next Tuesday at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Minnesota trailed the Blue Raiders at the half by four, 32-28, but made their first five shots in the second half en route to taking complete control of the game. An 11-4 run in the middle of the half and another quiet 10-4 allowed the Golden Gophers to build a lead that the Blue Raiders were unable to overcome in the final minutes, despite a nice little run at the end.

Middle Tennessee trailed by two with seven seconds remaining and was whistled for a tech because the defender on the indbounds crossed the boundary and made contact with the passer. Minnesota hit both of their free throws there and the subsequent two to complete the six-point win.

Rodney Williams was the game's leading scorer with 24 points on 8-for-11 shooting.

Tip next Tuesday is at 9 p.m. and will be aired again on ESPN2.

For more on the Minnesota Golden Gophers, check out The Daily Gopher. You can also learn more about college basketball around the nation at SB Nation's College Basketball hub.

Middle Tennessee Vs. Minnesota Score: Golden Gophers Trail Blue Raiders, 32-28, At Halftime

The Minnesota Golden Gophers trail the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders, 32-28, at the halftime of Wednesday's NIT quarterfinal match up at the Murphy Athletic Center in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Both teams have been sloppy with the ball, committing 11 turnovers apiece, but the Blue Raiders have taken the lead by spreading the basketball around. Nine different Middle Tennessee players have scored in the first half. Raymond Cintron is their high-scorer with eight points.

Minnesota is once again being led by forward Rodney Williams, who has scored a game-high 11 points, including two three-pointers. Elliott Eliason has chipped in eight points. The Golden Gophers bench, however, has produced just one point in the first half.

The winner of this matchup will face Washington in the semifinals. In the other semifinal match up, UMass will take on the winner of Nevada and Stanford.

For more on the Minnesota Golden Gophers, check out The Daily Gopher. You can also learn more about college basketball around the nation at SB Nation's College Basketball hub.

NIT 2012, Middle Tennessee Vs. Minnesota: Game Time, TV Schedule And More

Two members of the NIT Final Four have been decided, with Washington and Massachusetts winning their games to make the semifinals. Now, the final two will be decided on Monday, and the Minnesota Golden Gophers will have a chance to make it into the semis against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders.

Both teams had a bit of an upset special earlier to get to the quarterfinals. Minnesota toppled No. 2 seed Miami while the Blue Raiders beat their rivals and No. 1 seed Tennessee.

The Blue Raiders had won the Sun Belt with a 27-6 overall record and 14-2 in conference, but faltered in the conference tournament that was eventually won by Western Kentucky. Minnesota had a mediocre year in the Big Ten but a good overall record of 21-14 to earn their NIT berth. The winner of the match will go on to face the Washington Huskies.

Match Up: No. 6 Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. No. 4 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders

Game Time: March 21, 7:00 p.m. ET.

TV: ESPN2

A full, up to date bracket for the NIT can be found here.

For more on the Minnesota Golden Gophers, check out The Daily Gopher. You can also learn more about college basketball around the nation at SB Nation's College Basketball hub.

NIT 2012: Maybe There's Hope For The Minnesota Golden Gophers After All

Things were looking pretty bleak for the Minnesota Golden Gophers men's basketball team just a week ago. But two solid NIT victories and a returning star player might have just changed that outlook.

Tyus Jones, Minnesota Recruit, Could Hold Key To Golden Gophers' Future

The Minnesota Golden Gophers have a big game coming up in the 2012 NIT Tournament, but Apple Valley point guard Tyus Jones could be key recruit for the future.

NIT 2012: Bracket And Schedule For Wednesday's Games

The quarterfinals of the men's National Invitational Tournament will continue on Wednesday night live on ESPN2. The winners will do battle in the semifinals at Madison Square Garden next Tuesday.

The first half of the quarterfinals took place last night, No. 5 seeded U. Mass took down No. 3 Drexel and No. 1 Washington defeated No. 3 Oregon. U. Mass will now play either No. 3 Stanford or No. 5 Nevada and Washington wil play the winner of the No. 6 Minnesota-No. 4 Middle Tennessee game in the NIT's version of the 'Final Four.'

The schedule for the second half of the quarterfinals is below:

No. 6 Minnesota vs. No. 4 Middle Tennessee: 7 p.m. ET on ESPN 2

No. 3 Stanford vs. No. 5 Nevada: 9 p.m. ET on ESPN 2

For more on the Minnesota Golden Gophers, check out The Daily Gopher. You can also learn more about college basketball around the nation at SB Nation's College Basketball hub.