VIDEO: Cincinnati and Gonzaga Battle it out for Maui Invitational Title

By Wendy Osher

The EA SPORTS Maui Invitational Basketball tournament is now in its final day at the Lahaina Civic Center.   In the first game of the day, Colorado finished 7^th in the tourney after defeating host Chaminade 73-58.

In the third place game, Wisconsin led Maryland at the half 37-27.  The lead had lessened to 3 points with 10:08 left in the game.  In the end it was Wisconsin with the win, taking the 3rd Place finish with a final score of 78-69.

Vanderbilt defeated Arizona for a come-from-behind 5th place finish. The final score:  Vanderbilt 84- Arizona 72.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3o5PtXSN-s[/youtube]

Photo by Wendy Osher. Maryland advanced to the winner's bracket after defeating Chaminade in Day 1. Maryland trailed Wisconsin by 10 points at the half in the 3rd/4th Place game at the Lahiana Civic Center.

And tonight, Gonzaga returns to the title game, this time facing first time tournament participants Cincinnati.

ESPN 550 AM on Maui is broadcasting all 12 of the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational Basketball tournament games from the Lahaina Civic Center.  The Nationally televised event is hosted by Chaminade University and is touted as the nation’s premier early season college-basketball tournament.

Play-by-play is provided by on-air personalities Barry Helle, Fred Guzman and Josh Pacheco.  In addition to the radio broadcast on ESPN 550 AM KMVI, the games are also being simulcast on the station’s website at espn550.com.  The national ESPN is carrying the games live in HD on the ESPN network of television stations.

This is the first year that the local broadcast is being offered to web users and the eighth year that Pacific Radio Group has carried live play-by-play radio coverage of the event.

Now in its 26^th year, the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational features a lineup of former national champion teams including Cincinnati, Arizona, Maryland and Wisconsin.  The 2009 lineup also includes Colorado, Gonzaga, Vanderbilt and host Chaminade University of Honolulu.

Remaining tickets for the tournament were still available onsite today at the Lahaina Civic Center.

EA SPORTS Maui Invitational Game Bracket/Schedule:

Wednesday, November 25, 2009:

• Game 9 for 7^th and 8^th Place:                   9 a.m.  Loser of Game 5 & 6  (ESPNU)
• Game 10 for 3^rd and 4^th Place:                 11:30 a.m.  Loser of Game 7 & 8  (ESPN2)
• Game 11 for 5^th and 6^th Place:                 2 p.m.  Winner of Game 5 & 6  (ESPNU)
• Game 12 for Champion & 2^nd Place:         5 p.m.  Winner of Game 7 & 8  (ESPN)