EVANSVILLE, Ind. — In a thrilling finale to the Division II Tournament, MJ Iraldi’s clutch free throws with just 17.8 seconds remaining sealed a narrow 74-73 victory for Nova Southeastern against Cal State Dominguez Hills on Saturday.
This victory marked the second national championship for the Sharks (36-1) within three seasons under the guidance of Coach Jim Crutchfield. Crutchfield boasts an impressive record of 563 wins and 86 losses across his 20-year career, making him the most successful coach in college basketball based on winning percentage for those with at least a decade of coaching experience.
Iraldi’s decisive free throws followed a dramatic moment when David Cheatom had briefly put the seventh-seeded Toros (30-6) ahead with just 24 seconds left. Unfortunately for Dominguez Hills, Cheatom’s attempt at a game-winning layup in the final second missed.
On the court, Iraldi was formidable, sinking 8 of his 16 shots, including a 3-pointer, and hitting 10 of his 12 free throw attempts. He also contributed nine rebounds and three steals in a standout performance. Teammate Tyler Eberhart added 14 points and secured six rebounds, while Dallas Graziani contributed 13 points and dished out nine assists.
For the Toros, Jeremy Dent-Smith led the team with a double-double, scoring 27 points and grabbing 10 rebounds before fouling out with just over a minute to play. Dent-Smith played a crucial role in closing an eight-point gap faced by the Toros with 11 minutes left, tying the game at 62 thanks to a personal six-point streak. Cheatom supported with 15 points.
The game began with a strong push from the Sharks, as Ross Reeves’ layup provided a 17-9 lead seven minutes into the contest. However, Dent-Smith’s response fueled a 15-5 run, shifting the lead in favor of the Toros, who maintained their advantage for the last 7:37 of the first half, heading into halftime up 42-38.
This season’s triumph followed Nova Southeastern’s perfect 36-0 run culminating in their 111-101 victory over West Liberty in the 2023 championship. However, their streak ended the subsequent season with a close 88-85 loss to Minnesota State.
In a separate note, the Toros’ women’s team also faced defeat in their championship game, while Minnesota State’s squads claimed titles last season, becoming the first school to achieve this double championship distinction.