S. Carolina, St. Joseph’s Reach Final

Carlos Powell scored 17 points and had 12 rebounds to lead South Carolina to a 75-67 victory over Maryland in the National Invitation Tournament semifinals Tuesday night at New York’s Madison Square Garden.

South Carolina (19-13) is in the NIT championship game for the second time in four seasons and will play St. Joseph’s for the title Thursday night.

Powell had only six points in the first half, but he surpassed his 16.4 average with a solid final 20 minutes.

Travis Garrison, Chris McCray and Mike Jones each scored 15 points for Maryland, (19-13), which had its quest for a ninth consecutive 20-win season end.

South Carolina led, 41-29, at the break and stretched that advantage to 53-35 when the Gamecocks scored consecutive layups 13 seconds apart less than three minutes into the second half.

Maryland finished with 21 turnovers, only two off a season-worst.

St. Joseph’s 70, Memphis 58 -- Pat Carroll scored 13 of his 24 points in the second half, and the Hawks continued their torrid play in 2005.

St. Joseph’s (24-11) started 3-6 but is 21-5 since Jan. 1.

Dwayne Jones had 13 points and 14 rebounds -- eight offensive -- for St. Joseph’s.

Rodney Carney scored 21 points, 17 in the second half, and freshman guard Darius Washington had 14 for Memphis (22-16).

Memphis averaged 71.8 points, but was held under 60 for the seventh time. St. Joseph’s is 22-2 when holding opponents to 60 points or fewer.