Vincent Grier Scores 11 in P.I.T. Win

Vincent Grier of Minnesota scored 11 points as he helped Holiday Inn Portsmouth withstand a valiant rally to defeat Norfolk Sports Club 83-79 at the Portsmouth Invitational in front of many of the NBA's general managers and scouts. Holiday Inn Portsmouth led 51-38 and had a 16-point lead in the second half, before Norfolk Sports Club cut the lead to 80-79 in the closing minute. Grier also played in front of Minnesota assistant coach Jim Molinari.

C. J. Watson of Tennessee made eight of 11 shots from the field as he paced Holiday Inn Portsmouth with 17 points. Lamar Butler of George Mason and Akin Akingbala from Clemson added 15 points each. Quincy Davis of Tulane had 12 and Vincent Grier and Dan Oppland from Valparaiso had 11 points each in the win. Tim Smith of East Tennessee State had nine assists, but missed all eight shots from the field. Grier made four of 10 shots from the field and all three free throws. He added five rebounds and two assists.

With the win, Holiday Inn Portsmouth advanced to Friday's semifinal game at 9 p.m.

Sean Dockery of Duke and Joah Tucker of Wisconsin-Milwaukee had 14 points each for Norfolk Sports Club. Dockery also dished out 11 assists. Tarence Kinsey of South Carolina had all 12 points in the second half and Greg Brunner of Iowa had 12 points and 12 rebounds. Torin Francis from Notre Dame and Cameron Bennerman of North Carolina State had 11 points each.