By The Associated Press

Published: Wednesday, March 13, 2013, 9:54 p.m.
Updated: Friday, March 15, 2013

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Dejan Kravic rebounded Texas Tech's desperation shot and dropped it into the bucket just ahead of the buzzer, lifting Texas Tech over West Virginia, 71-69, in the opening round of the Big 12 tournament Wednesday night.

The Red Raiders (11-19), who lost twice to West Virginia in the regular season, gave up a 14-point lead in the first half but managed to hold on for only their second victory away from home this season.

Texas Tech will meet No. 7 Kansas (26-5), the conference's regular-season champion, in Thursday's quarterfinals.

Jaye Crockett's 18 points led Texas Tech, which had lost 11 of its last 12.

West Virginia (13-19) ended its first season in the Big 12 on a seven-game losing skid, again denying coach Bob Huggins the victory he's been needing to tie Ray Meyer for 18th on the all-time Division I winning list. Terry Henderson had 12 points for the Mountaineers.

Big East Tournament

No. 24 Notre Dame 69, Rutgers 61 — Sophomore Pat Connaughton led the Fighting Irish (24-8, 11-7) with 21 points, and Tom Knight scored 18 in a Big East tournament second-round victory.

Notre Dame advances to face Marquette at 9:30 Thursday night in the quarterfinals.

Myles Mack finished with 18 points for the Scarlet Knights ((15-16, 5-13).

Villanova 66, St. John's 53 — Mouphtaou Yarou made his first seven shots and scored 18 points to lead the Wildcats.

Ryan Arcidiacono added 15 points to help seventh-seeded Villanova (20-12) move into the quarterfinals, where it will play Thursday night against fourth-ranked Louisville, the tournament's No. 2 seed.

JayVaughn Pinkston had 12 points and nine rebounds for the Wildcats, who shook off St. John's midway through the second half. Yarou, a senior center winding down his Villanova career, finished 9 for 10 from the field with seven rebounds and three steals.

Cincinnati 61, Providence 44 — Sean Kilpatrick scored 17 points to lead Cincinnati in a game between teams desperate to improve their postseason credentials.

JaQuon Parker added 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Bearcats (22-10), who might have solidified an NCAA tournament berth with the win.

No. 9 seed Cincinnati advanced to a quarterfinal matchup Thursday with No. 5 Georgetown, the top seed, at Madison Square Garden.

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