Luster’s Overtime Layup Lifts Concordia to Title
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Tanner Luster wanted the ball.
He got it on a pick and roll and scored on a layup with 37 seconds to play in overtime to help lift Concordia over Mountain State of West Virginia, 88-84, in the championship game of the NAIA tournament Tuesday night.
It was the first national title for the Irvine school.
The layup gave Concordia an 86-84 lead and put the finishing touches on Luster’s 19-point, 26-rebound effort.
After Luster’s layup, Mountain State’s Raynardo Curry was fouled, and with a chance to tie the score missed both free throws. Concordia’s Jeremy Groth grabbed the rebound, was fouled and made two free throws.
Kortaa Hall scored with 29 seconds left in regulation to give Mountain State (32-7) a 79-77 lead, but Luster’s layup with eight seconds left sent the game into overtime.
Chris Victor led Concordia (36-4) with 26 points.
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