COLLEGE BASKETBALL ROUNDUP : Bittersweet Win for Miami Coach in Final Game

Bill Foster had an empty feeling after his final game as coach at the University of Miami.

Only 2,397 fans showed up at 15,000-seat Miami Arena Tuesday night to see the Hurricanes defeat Florida International, 83-55.

The victory gave the the Hurricanes a 13-15 record and ended their worst season since Foster resurrected the program in 1985 after a 15-year hiatus.

“There are some things we didn’t get done that I’d have liked to get done, and that bothers me,” Foster said. “It’s a little bittersweet.”

Foster, who announced last fall that this season would be his last with the Hurricanes, had a 78-71 record at Miami. His teams failed to earn a postseason bid and attendance was rarely more than 3,000.

Sophomore Jerome Scott scored a career-high 22 points for the Hurricanes.

Cesar Bocachica had 19 points for the Golden Panthers (7-21).

TOURNAMENTS

Missouri Valley

Illinois State 81, Southern Illinois 78--Rickey Jackson made three free throws in the final 1:26 as the Redbirds (18-12) upset the Salukis (26-7) at Normal, Ill., giving Illinois State an NCAA tournament berth.

East Coast

Towson State 73, Lehigh 60--Kurk Lee scored 22 points to lead the Tigers to the championship at Towson, Md., and their first NCAA tournament berth.

Devin Boyd added 13 points for the Tigers (18-12).

Dozie Mbonu scored 23 points to lead Lehigh (18-12).