Notre Dame cruises past Hampton 84-63 in NIT opener

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) Martinas Geben and T.J. Gibbs combined for 35 points, Bonzie Colson had a double-double and Notre Dame cruised to an 84-63 win over Hampton on Tuesday night in the opening round of the NIT.

Geben had 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting, Gibbs added 17 with three 3-pointers and Colson scored 14 and grabbed 12 rebounds. The Irish (21-14), a top seed, scored six points after Hampton (19-16), an eight-seed, scored the first basket and pulled away.

Colson and Geben had back-to-back 3-point plays late in the first quarter for a 23-12 lead. The Bears scored eight straight late in the second quarter and trailed by 12 at the half but a 13-3 Irish run in the third quarter decided the game.

Notre Dame will host the winner of Wednesday's game between Temple and Penn State in the second round.

Hampton shot 30 percent and Notre Dame 42 percent in a game that featured 104 rebounds but only 17 turnovers and 24 free throws.

Jermaine Marrow had 21 points to lead the Bears.