Grant leads Clemson in opener

| March 16, 2011 10:00 PM

NCAA TOURNAMENT

Jerai Grant scored 22 points and Clemson built a double-figure lead and never backed off in beating Alabama-Birmingham (22-9) 70-52 on Tuesday night in an NCAA tournament "First Four" game at Dayton, Ohio.

In a matchup of No. 12 seeds, part of the expanded tournament's new look, the Tigers (22-11) went on a 21-2 run in the first half and never let the big lead slip away.

Clemson plays fifth-seeded West Virginia (20-11) on Thursday in Tampa, Fla.

North Carolina-Asheville 81, Arkansas-Little Rock 77, OT: At Dayton, Ohio, J.P. Primm hit five free throws and had a decisive steal in the closing seconds, sending North Carolina-Asheville to past Arkansas-Little Rock (19-17) in the opening game for the NCAA tournament.

The Bulldogs (20-13) play top-seeded Pittsburgh on Thursday in Washington.

Oklahoma State 71, Harvard 54: At Stillwater, Okla., Marshall Moses had 18 points and eight rebounds, leading the Cowboys (20-13) past Harvard (23-7) in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament.

Alabama 68, Coastal Carolina 44: At Tuscaloosa, Ala., Tony Mitchell, Charvez Davis and Trevor Releford all scored 12 points to lead Alabama (22-11) past Coastal Carolina (28-6).

Kent State 71, Saint Mary's 70: At Moraga, Calif., Justin Greene made the go-ahead layup with 3 seconds remaining, and Kent State (24-11) overcame a 13-point second-half deficit to stun Saint Mary's (25-9).

Cleveland State 63, Vermont 60: At Cleveland, Norris Cole scored 27 points, leading Cleveland State (27-8) past Vermont (23-9).

Missouri State 89, Murray State 76: At Springfield, Mo., Jermaine Mallett scored 23 points, leading Missouri State (26-8) past Murray State (23-9).

Boston College 82, McNeese State 64: At Lake Charles, La., Reggie Jackson scored 22 points, leading Boston College (21-12) past McNeese State (21-12).

College of Charleston 94, Dayton 84: At Charleston, S.C., Andrew Goudelock had 39 points and College of Charleston (25-10) beat defending champion Dayton (22-14).

New Mexico 69, UTEP 57: At Albuquerque, N.M., Kendall Williams and Drew Gordon scored 18 points each to help New Mexico (22-12) beat UTEP (25-10).

Fairfield 62, Colorado State 60: At Fort Collins, Colo., Yorel Hawkins scored 17 points and Fairfield (25-7) beat Colorado State (19-13).