Southern Indiana Wins, Advances to Title Game

Joe Gordon’s lay-up with two seconds left Thursday night lifted Southern Indiana to an 83-81 victory over Metro State in a semifinal game of the Division II championships before 1,354 at Bakersfield.

The Screaming Eagles (28-6) will play Kennesaw State (34-4) at 10 a.m. on Saturday for the national championship.

Gordon took a pass from Avery Green on the right baseline and drove for the winning basket, ending a 30-game winning streak by the Roadrunners (32-3).

“It seemed like Avery had the ball for 10 to 15 seconds,” Gordon said. “I got open and he got me the ball and went to the hole, but it was pure God that it went in.”

Southern Indiana’s last appearance in the championship game came in 1995, when it defeated UC Riverside, 71-63.

Metro State’s Luke Kendall, who had a game-high 30 points, made two free throws with 44 seconds remaining to tie the score at 81. Southern Indiana then turned the ball over, but Metro did likewise when Michael Morse was called for traveling with 24 seconds remaining, setting up Gordon’s winning basket.

Metro State led, 37-36, at halftime. The Roadrunners trailed for much of the second half. Metro State had appeared in three of the past five title games.

Kennesaw State 81, Humboldt State 67 -- Georgy Josephy had 24 points and Terrence Hill added 22 to lead the Owls over the Lumberjacks (28-6).