Hamilton Leads So. Mississipi to NIT Title, 84-80
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NEW YORK — Derrek Hamilton scored 10 of his 17 points during a 16-4 surge that lifted Southern Mississippi to an 84-80 victory over La Salle Thursday night in the championship game of the 50th National Invitation Tournament.
Hamilton had two three-point goals during the decisive span that gave the Golden Eagles (23-11) a 59-48 lead with 10:13 left. Hamilton had three three-pointers in the game, and Casey Fisher had 18 points on six long-range shots for Southern Mississippi, which had 11 three-pointers.
La Salle (20-13), which staged three comebacks that fell short in the closing minutes, was led by freshman Lionel Simmons, who had 34 points.
But ultimately the Explorers died from three-point range, making only 4 of 24 in the game after hitting 9 of 15 in the semifinals against Arkansas Little Rock.
After Southern Mississippi took a 77-67 lead, La Salle tried to catch up, narrowing the gap to 82-80 with 21 seconds left. After La Salle got the ball back on a five-second violation, Tim Legler missed a potential tying shot.
John White then made two free throws with six seconds remaining to clinch the victory.
