COL BKB: Notre Dame 70, Ala-Birmingham 64

SOUTH BEND, Ind., March 18 (UPI) -- Luke Harangody's 22 points and 10 rebounds Tuesday lifted Notre Dame to a 70-64 win over Alabama-Birmingham in first-round action of the NIT.

Kyle McAlarney added 12 points for the Fighting Irish (19-14).

Robert Vaden's game-high 24 points led the Blazers (22-12. Paul Delaney added 20 points, while Lawrence Kinnard had 15 rebounds to go with nine points.

Notre Dame used seven 3-pointers to force a 39-35 halftime lead and was 12-of-16 at the free-throw line in the second half to complete the win.

Notre Dame will play New Mexico in the second round.