NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball : Jacksonville State Wins Title

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Guard Melvin Allen scored 18 points and made a key layup with 45 seconds left to lead No. 2-ranked Jacksonville State of Alabama over South Dakota State, 74-73, Saturday night in the NCAA Division II championship game.

The Gamecocks (31-1) have won 31 straight games. No. 9-ranked South Dakota (26-7) was led by 6-7 center Mark Tetzlaff, the tournament’s MVP who had 21 points and 13 rebounds.

South Dakota led, 69-64, with two minutes left. But after Tetzlaff fouled out with 1:53 left, Allen and backcourt mate Earl Warren, who made two big steals in the final 22 seconds, led the Gamecocks back. Allen’s layup gave them the lead for good at 72-71.