CLEVELAND, March 5 (UPI) -- Cedrick Banks' turnaround jumper with five seconds left in overtime Tuesday night erased a one-point deficit and lifted Illinois-Chicago to a 76-75 triumph over Loyola-Chicago in the championship of the Horizon League.
Banks' jumper put Illinois-Chicago in the NCAA Tournament for the second time in five years. The sophomore forward led UIC with 17 points on 6-of-10 shooting and was named tournament most valuable player.
Guard Martell Bailey had just three baskets but all three came in overtime. He had layups 31 seconds apart midway through the overtime and gave the Flames a 74-73 lead with a layup with 13 seconds to go.
But Bailey's older brother David was fouled on the inbounds pass and made two free throws for Loyola-Chicago. But UIC called timeout and Banks created a shot for himself, sinking the game-winner.
Illinois-Chicago (20-13) won despite shooting just 38 percent (11-of-29) in the second half. The Flames also missed six of 17 free throws but did hit 11-of-23 3-point attempts.
David Bailey had a big game for Loyola-Chicago (17-13), scoring 35 points. Ryan Blankson added 15 points and 16 rebounds for the Ramblers, who were 1-of-8 from beyond the arc.
Loyola-Chicago erased a seven-point deficit with 4:31 left in regulation by going on a 12-2 run. David Bailey capped that spurt with two free throws with 71 seconds to go.
