March 9, 2010

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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) -- Derick Nelson scored a career-high 36 points and slow-starting Oakland, Mich., defeated IUPUI 76-64 in the Summit League championship game to advance to the NCAA tournament Tuesday night.

The Grizzlies earned their second NCAA berth with their school-record 11th consecutive win. Their only other NCAA appearance was in 2005.

Playing with a broken nose he suffered in Oakland's first-round win over UMKC, Nelson provided a spark after top-seeded Oakland missed its first eight shots against the No. 2 Jaguars.

Nelson turned a steal into a layup for Oakland's first field goal five minutes into the game and then scored 11 straight points for his team.

Larry Wright added 16 points, and Keith Benson had 17 rebounds to go with his eight points.

Alex Young led IUPUI with 19 points, while Robert Glenn added 18 and Leroy Nobles 14.

Oakland shot 46.2 percent for the game (30-of-65) and had a 43-26 rebounding advantage. IUPUI shot 46.3 percent (25-of-54). Billy Pettiford led IUPUI with seven rebounds.

Keith Benson, Oakland
Robert Glenn, IUPUI
Johnathon Jones, Oakland
Derick Nelson, Oakland (MVP)
Alex Young, IUPUI

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