New York, NY (Sports Network) - Chris Johnson posted 22 points and 10 rebounds and hit the clinching free throws with 11.2 seconds remaining, as Dayton pulled out a 68-63 triumph over Ole Miss in the semifinals of the National Invitation Tournament.
Dayton 68, Ole Miss 63: Flyers Play Their Way Into NIT’s Championship
Marcus Johnson added 12 points and Chris Wright tallied nine points, 11 boards and five assists for the Flyers (24-12), who advanced to take on either Rhode Island or North Carolina in the championship game on Thursday.
Dayton got back to the NIT Final Four for the first time since 1968 -- the last of its two NIT titles -- after a convincing win over Illinois State and road victories at Cincinnati and Illinois.
Terrico White and Chris Warren netted 19 and 15 points, respectively, for the Rebels (24-11), who also fell in the semis of this event back in 2008.
Ole Miss played all three of its previous tourney games at home and needed two overtimes to top Texas Tech last Tuesday to get back to Madison Square Garden.
Down 65-63, the Rebels had a chance to tie in the closing seconds, but London Warren altered Trevor Gaskins’ attempt under the basket just enough to force a miss. Chris Johnson corralled the loose ball and was sent to the foul line, where he secured the hard-fought win.
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