NU dropps OT heartbreaker to Washington St in NIT Quarter-Finals

PULLMAN—Klay Thompson hit a key jumper, made two free throws and got two important rebounds in overtime to help Washington State beat Northwestern 69-66 on Wednesday night to advance to the NIT semifinals at Madison Square Garden.Thompson scored 12 of his 17 points in the second half, include getting four of the Cougars’ five in the overtime. Washington State (22-12) had five players finish in double figures.The Cougars will play Wichita State, which beat College of Charleston on Wednesday, in the semifinals in New York on Tuesday.Brock Motum added 13 points and six rebounds for the Cougars, while DeAngelo Casto, Reggie Moore Faisal Aden had 11 points each. Juice Thompson scored 20 points for Northwestern (20-14) and Alex Marcotullio added 16 points. The Wildcats were 10 of 38 from 3-point range.Washington State led 64-62 with 4 seconds remaining in regulation. Casto was called for goaltending a drive by John Shurna to tie the game.NU fouled Washington State’s Abe Lodwick with .2 seconds remaining but he missed both free throws.Klay Thompson hit the first shot in overtime and made two free throws to give the Cougars a 68-66 lead with just over a minute to play. Reggie Moore would make one of two from the line to give the Cougars a 69-66 lead. Juice Thompson had two good looks at a 3-pointer but could not convert.Casto was reinstated to play in the game. Athletic director Bill Moos said new information prompted him to lift the suspension that was imposed on Casto on Tuesday after he was cited for marijuana possession.