Story Created:
Apr 7, 2008 at 11:16 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Apr 7, 2008 at 11:16 PM CDT
April 7, 2008
SAN ANTONIO (AP) - The 20-year wait is over.
Kansas has captured its first men's basketball championship since 1988 by outlasting Memphis 75-68 in overtime. Mario Chalmers extended the game by draining an off-balance three-pointer with 2.1 seconds left in regulation before the Jayhawks scored the first six points of OT.
The Jayhawks trailed 60-51 after Robert Dozier hit a pair of free throws with just over two minutes left in regulation. Chalmers provided five points as Kansas closed the second half on a 12-3 spurt.
Chalmers was named the most outstanding player of the Final Four after finishing with 18 points. Darrell Arthur paced Kansas with 20 points and 10 rebounds.
Chris Douglas-Roberts led all scorers with 22 points for Memphis, but he also missed three straight free throws in the final 1:15 of regulation. Derrick Rose added 18 points, including nine straight for Memphis during a 12-2 spurt that put the Tigers ahead 55-49.
It's the third national championship for Kansas and the first for a member of the Big XII conference.
