If only the NCAA Tournament had this much excitement.
The NIT Championship game in Indianapolis between UC Irvine and Chattanooga got here right down to the ultimate play of additional time.
Trailing 85-84 with 2.4 seconds left in additional time, UC Irvine’s Devin Tillis tossed a full-court pass that was pulled in by Bent Leuchten. The 7-foot-1 center then fed the ball to a wide-open Jurian Dixon, whose rushed layup painfully rolled off the rim, giving Chattanooga its first NIT title.
It got here after a dramatic and nervous final minute for each teams.
Leuchten went to the free-throw line with 31 seconds left in additional time for a likelihood at a three-point lead, but he missed each free throws.
Chattanooga’s Garrison Keeslar then sank a go-ahead jumper from the free-throw line with 11 seconds to retake the lead.
After Keeslar’s make, an entry pass to Leuchten was overthrown and Chattanooga secured the loose ball before missing two free throws to provide the Anteaters one other likelihood that will only add to the heartbreak.
Each programs were playing of their first NIT championship game.
Bonham had 19 points to go together with 10 rebounds for Chattanooga. Keeslar secured his first double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds, and Huff also had 14 points.
Tillis scored 13 of his 19 points in the primary half for UC Irvine. Leuchten finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds.
Bonham sank a half-court shot just before the halftime buzzer to provide Chattanooga a 38-37 lead on the break.
Each teams had a controversial call go against them in the ultimate 20 seconds of regulation.
Chattanooga’s Honor Huff kicked out a leg to attract a foul and made three free throws with 16.3 seconds left to provide Chattanooga its first lead, 76-74, because it was 38-37.
Then Irvine’s Myles Che got a defender within the air on a 3-pointer and jumped into him before making 2 of three free throws to tie it at 76-all.
— With AP
