MBK: Alcester native Craig Doty Wins NAIA Title

KANAS CITY, MO – A historic season came to a close Tuesday night when Graceland University hoisted the national championship trophy of the 81st Annual NAIA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship at Municipal Auditorium. Graceland became the first team from the state of Iowa to win the national championship in the event's history when GU's Justin Harley splashed a three-pointer at the buzzer to give Graceland an 83-80 overtime victory over Louisiana State University-Alexandria.

The win was the Yellowjackets' fifth national tournament victory in as many games in their first-ever appearance in the tournament. Graceland (29-10) finished its season winning its last 11 straight games, 12 of its last 13 and the Yellowjackets were 19-2 from Jan. 17 through the end of the season.

"We are so proud of our student-athletes, but this is much bigger than just basketball," said Graceland head coach Craig Doty. "This is about a university, a community, and an alumni base coming together and celebrating what higher education is all about. This roster was built organically, with a vision for those who care about each other, accept coaching, and want to be a part of a family environment.

"LT (Davis) and I have been together for all three of our national championships (two at Rock Valley College, one at Graceland). Is there a men's college basketball player in the past 30 years who has won three national championships in their four years of eligibility other than LT Davis? The man is incredible. Jeremy Deemer, Will Nelson, Dalton Payton, Jordan Dembley, and Justin Harley, who hit the game-winning three, are all winners and incredible human beings," said Craig Doty, head coach. "Our bench from top to bottom was committed to helping each other every possession. This is the toughest national tournament to win in all of college basketball, as we had to win five games in six days to win it all. Thanks to my staff for staying up until 3 a.m. preparing scouting reports, thanks to my administration, and thanks to our students and fans, specifically our football team, who single-handedly changed the culture of our program from the stands."

The championship game had an attendance of 6,377, which was the highest-attended final since the tournament returned to Kansas City in 2002.

The contest was a close one from the start, with 11 lead changes and eight ties. Nelson and Deemer combined for the Yellowjackets' first 11 points of the game, with GU trailing at 15-11 with 13:19 to play in the first half. Graceland soon used an 11-4 run to take a 22-19 lead and the Yellowjackets ended the half with a 10-0 run, capped by a three-pointer from Nelson. The Yellowjacket defense was able to keep the Generals off the scoreboard for the final 3:52 of the half and Graceland led, 36-28, at halftime.

Momentum stayed with the Yellowjackets early in the second half as the boisterous crowd continued to cheer on Graceland. The Yellowjackets used a 10-2 run to push the lead to 53-40 with 13:30 left to play in regulation. However, LSU Alexandria refused to go away. The Generals answered with a 15-4 run of their own, sparked by a Jordin Williams 3-pointer, to cut the deficit to 57-55 at the 9:30 mark.

The two sides traded baskets over the final nine minutes, including a runner in the lane from Nelson to tie the score at 72 with 12 seconds left to send the game into overtime.

Overtime was a nail-biter, but the Yellowjacket fans banded together behind their team. With 1:45 left in OT, LSUA took the lead by one, but Davis responded with a three-ball to put Graceland ahead by two. However, the Generals tied the game on the following possession.

Graceland took a two-point lead at 80-78 with 43 seconds remaining. LSUA's Jordin Williams was then fouled on a drive to the lane, sinking both from the charity stripe, tying the game at 80 and setting up the championship winning-play. Following a timeout, Davis took the inbounds pass and faked a drive to the basket, instead of dishing to Harley on the right wing and Harley hit nothing but net on his three-pointer to defeat the Generals, 83-80.

Graceland shot 46.6 percent from the field (27-for-58), including shooting 54.2 percent from beyond the arc (13-of-24). Louisiana Alexandria was held to 39.2 percent shooting (29-of-74) for the game. The Yellowjackets dominated the glass, outrebounding the Generals, 49-31, continuing its trend of outrebounding their opponents.

Nelson – a Kansas City native – scored a team-high and career-best 30 points to lead the Yellowjackets. The junior forward ended the game 12-for-21 from the field, including a 4-of-5 effort from long range. He also added 12 rebounds – one board shy of tying a season-high. Davis, who was named the Chuck Taylor Most Valuable Player for the championship, chipped in 22 points and a game-high six assists. Deemer added a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds for the Yellowjackets. It was Deemer's third straight double-double in the tournament and 15th of the season overall.

Williams led all scorers with 31 points, while William Claiborne added 18 points. Brandon Moss, who entered the game averaging 19.0 points per game for the Generals, was limited to only seven points – only his third single-digit scoring game of the season.

2018 NAIA DIVISION I MEN'S BASKETBALL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP AWARDS

All-Tournament Team

Stevie Clark, LSU Shreveport (La.)

Shadell Millinghaus, Georgetown (Ky.)

Terrell Thompson, William Penn (Iowa)

JC Washington, William Penn (Iowa)

Will Nelson, Graceland (Iowa)

Jeremy Deemer, Graceland (Iowa)

LT Davis, Graceland (Iowa)

Will Claiborne, LSU Alexandria (La.)

Jordin Williams, LSU Alexandria (La.)

Brandon Moss, LSU Alexandria (La.)