NEW YORK — Kevin Larsen scored 18 points and Tyler Cavanaugh added 12 points as George Washington won the NIT for the first time by defeating Valparaiso, 76-60, on Thursday night at Madison Square Garden.
Patricio Garino had 14 points and Joe McDonald added 13 points for the Colonials, a No. 4 seed in the 32-team tournament, who set a school record with 28 wins. They won their fourth consecutive game against a higher-seeded team and sent three senior starters out with a tournament trophy, softening the sting of being rebuffed by the NCAA selection committee.
Cavanaugh was selected as the tournament’s most outstanding player. A transfer from Wake Forest, he scored 10 or more points in every game this season.
George Washington held Valparaiso star Alec Peters to 15 points, including just two points in the second half. The Crusaders, a No. 1 seed, went 8-for-28 from 3-point range.
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