Semifinals set for the Roman College Basketball Invitational

DePaul, South Florida, Coastal Carolina, and Loyola Marymount have advanced to the semifinals of the Roman College Basketball Invitational.

In Chicago, Max Strus scored 38 points as DePaul held off Longwood, 97-89.

Strus (pictured), who netted 33 points in the Blue Demons’ CBI opener against Central Michigan, was 15-of-21 from the field, including 5-of-11 from three, and 3-of-3 from the line against the Lancers. The 38 points mark the second-highest individual point total in CBI history.

Strus was joined in double figures by Paul Reed, who had 23 points and 12 rebounds, and Jaylen Butz, who had 10 points and eight rebounds.

Lorenzo Phillips led Longwood with 18 points while Juan Munoz had 17 points and six rebounds. Spencer Franklin added 14 points with Jashaun Smith and Damarion Geter each scoring 11 points.

In Tampa, South Florida received 18 points and 10 rebounds from Alexis Yetna in posting a 66-57 win over Utah Valley.

Trailing 39-37 with 14:46 to play in the game, the Bulls outscored the Wolverines 27-7 over the next 12 minutes to take a 64-46 lead and control of the game.

David Collins scored 17 points and had five steals for USF, which also received 14 points from LaQuincy Rideau. As a team, the Bulls were 10-of-25 (.400) from 3-point range.

Utah Valley was paced by Connor MacDougall and Richard Harward, who scored 10 points apiece.

In Morgantown, Coastal Carolina outscored West Virginia, 109-91. For the Chanticleers, it marks the third-highest scoring total in CBI history.

DeVante Jones led six Chants in double figures with 32 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists. Tony Burton posted 16 points and six rebounds, Zac Cuthbertson had 15 points and eight rebounds, Ebrima Dibba had 14 points and six assists, and Ajay Sanders and Tyrell Gumbs-Frater tallied 11 points each. As a team, Coastal shot 43-of-74 (.581) from the field, including 13-of-28 (.464) from three.

The Mountaineers were led by Emmitt Matthews and Lamont West, who scored 21 points apiece. Chase Harler had 15 points, Jermaine Haley posted 12 points and 10 rebounds, and Jordan McCabe added 11 points.

Coastal Carolina will be advancing to its second CBI semifinal in the last three years. In 2017, the Chants reached the Finals, dropping the Series to Wyoming in three games.

In Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount converted 20 Brown turnovers into 35 points in route to an 81-63 win.

James Batemon led all scorers with 21 points to go with five assists for the Lions, who also received 12 points and six assists from Joe Quintana, and 11 points apiece from Zafir Williams and Mattias Markusson.

As a team, LMU shot 30-of-61 (.492) from the floor, 9-of-22 (.409) from three, and 12-of-13 (.923) from the line.

Brown received 14 points from Obi Okolie and 11 points from Chris Sullivan.

Semifinal action begins Wednesday with DePaul hosting Coastal Carolina and continues on Thursday with South Florida home to Loyola Marymount.

The semifinal winners will participate in the Roman CBI Finals Series, beginning on Monday, April 1, and continuing on Wednesday, April 3, and Friday, April 5. The Finals Series will air on ESPNU with Roy Philpott and Tim McCormick calling the action.

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About the Gazelle Group
The College Basketball Invitational is produced by the Gazelle Group of Princeton, N.J. The Gazelle Group is a sports marketing firm, specializing in event production and management, client representation, and sponsorship consulting. Gazelle produces numerous nationally-recognized events, such as the Empire Classic benefiting Wounded Warrior Project, Legends Classic presented by Old Trapper, the Sunshine Slam, and the Gotham Classic. For more information on the Gazelle Group, please visit gazellegroup.com