By Eric Montgomery | NAIA Media Relations

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - (Box Score) Missouri Valley waited 54 years between trips to the Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I Men’s Basketball National Championship, but made its return a memorable one by knocking off No. 4-seeded Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.), 71-69 in overtime, Thursday evening in Municipal Auditorium. The Vikings advance to the second round on Friday, March 20 to take on 13th-seeded Mid-America Christian (Okla.), an 84-70 winner over Xavier (La.), at 8:00 p.m.

James Lane knocked down two free throws with 1.6 seconds left in overtime to provide the game-winning points. The Vikings took advantage of an errant pass by the Lions under the Missouri Valley basket, a toss that went directly out of bounds and gave the Vikings a chance to score with 2.2 to play.

“When I stepped to the line, all I could think was just hit these free throws and end this game,” said Lane, who had not attempted a free throw in the game prior to his game-winning attempts. “We’ve worked hard all preseason and season to get to this point, and to have this success, it’s something we’re proud of.”

Missouri Valley (22-10) edged out to a four-point lead in overtime, only to see Freed-Hardeman get a pair of jump shots in the lane from Cameron Lewis to even the game at 69-69. Missouri Valley had a full shot clock to work with, but didn’t get a shot off after running the clock down, setting up the final sequence of plays.

The end of regulation provided an equal amount of last-second drama. With the game tied at 60-60, also on a jumper by Lewis, Byron Cooke was fouled with 23 seconds to play. He missed both free throws, but tracked down the rebound, converted the putback and was fouled. This time, he converted the three-point play with 21 seconds left. Freed-Hardeman set up its offense and Ben Meis nailed a three-pointer with nine seconds on the clock. A bank shot by Brad Hamilton rattled out, sending the teams into the first overtime of the tournament.

“We came out and played a very good game tonight,” said Missouri Valley head coach Chad Lance. “I’ve said it before, but the Heart of America Athletic Conference is one of the best conferences in the NAIA, and we got prepared for this tournament through our conference games this season.”

Missouri Valley trailed for just seven seconds early in the first half and led for most of the game, holding an advantage as great as eight points at the 10:55 mark of the opening frame. After holding a 37-33 halftime lead, the Vikings led again by eight with 3:13 to play before Freed-Hardeman used a 10-2 run to level the game at 60-60.

“There’s not a single team in this tournament who can’t come out here and win a ball game,” said Freed-Hardeman head coach Jason Shelton. “I told my kids to not let one game define this season you’ve had and the things you’ve accomplished.”

Missouri Valley shot 45.3 percent from the field (29 of 64) and held Freed-Hardeman to a 27 of 74 shooting clip (.365). The Lions posted a 47-39 rebounding advantage that included an 18-9 mark on the offensive end, but made just one of 10 three-point shots in the second half and overtime.

Raviel Burton led the way for Missouri Valley with 18 points and a game-high 14 rebounds, while Lane finished with 17 points and eight rebounds. Brad Hamilton also chipped in with 16 points, five rebounds and four assists that included a three for five mark from three-point range.

Lewis paced Freed-Hardeman with 16 points, while Meis finished with 12 points and five rebounds. Isaiah Harrison led the rebounding charge with 12, with Vincent Dotson added 11 boards and nine points.

Freed-Hardeman finishes its season with a record of 29-3.

Game Notes:
Missouri Valley – The Vikings returned to the National Championship for the first time since 1961 and third time in program history, improving to 3-0 all-time in the first round … Missouri Valley won its second-straight overtime game, besting Evangel (Mo.) in its conference tournament championship game, 63-61, on March 10 … The Vikings extended their current winning streak to six games with the last four decided by four points or less.

Freed-Hardeman – The Lions were knocked out of the event in the first round after advancing to the 2014 quarterfinal round, falling to 1-4 all-time in the first round … Freed-Hardeman was the first No. 4 seed to lose in the first round since Georgetown (Ky.) lost to Central Methodist, also a Heart of America Athletic Conference school, in the 2009 event … The Lions were 2-0 in overtime games this season prior to tonight’s loss, last falling to Columbia (Mo.) in the 2014 American Midwest Conference Tournament championship game in overtime.