Shocker: Wichita St. Wins NIT

NEW YORK (AP) -- The only shocker about the end to Wichita State's season was the location.

J.T. Durley and Graham Hatch scored 12 points each to lead a balanced offense, and the Shockers overwhelmed top-seeded Alabama 66-57 on Thursday night to win the NIT championship at Madison Square Garden.

Hatch was 4 for 4 from beyond the arc, including back-to-back baskets in the closing minutes, as Wichita State (29-8) finished up a remarkable postseason run in style.

After getting left out of the NCAA tournament -- and after hardly any critics argued on their behalf -- the Shockers left little doubt they should have been selected.

They beat Nebraska by 27 points, won at Virginia Tech, beat College of Charleston, then set a school record for wins in a season with a 75-44 romp over Washington State in the semifinals.

They added one more victory against the Crimson Tide.

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