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    Tar Heels Squeak By Bulldogs, 76-74; Advance to NIT Quarters
     
    North Carolina (18-16) will face either UAB or North Carolina State on Tuesday.

     
    Larry Drew II (11) forces a layup past Mississippi State forward Jarvis Varnado (32) in the final seconds to help the Tar Heels win their NIT college basketball game. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

     
    Larry Drew II (11) forces a layup past Mississippi State forward Jarvis Varnado (32) in the final seconds to help the Tar Heels win their NIT college basketball game. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
     
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    March 20, 2010

    Box Score |  AP Photo Gallery  |  Photo Gallery 

    STARKVILLE, Miss. (AP) - Will Graves made a contested 3-pointer with 31 seconds left to give North Carolina a 76-74 win over Mississippi State on Saturday in the second round of the National Invitation Tournament.

    Graves put the Tar Heels up 74-72 with his fourth 3-pointer of the game. Barry Stewart tied it for the Bulldogs (24-12) on two free throws, but Larry Drew II answered with a layup on the other end to seal the victory.

    North Carolina (18-16) will face either UAB or North Carolina State on Tuesday, with a trip to New York and the semifinals on the line.

    Graves was 6 for 10 from the field and 4 for 6 from beyond the arc. John Henson had 12 points and eight rebounds for the Tar Heels.

    Barry Stewart led the Bulldogs with 18 points. Dee Bost and Jarvis Varnado added 14 points each, and Ravern Johnson scored 13.