BERKELEY, Calif., March 17 (UPI) -- Jorge Gutierrez hit two free throws with 14 seconds to play Wednesday and California survived a last-second miss to defeat Mississippi in the NIT 77-74.
The Golden Bears will travel to Colorado in the tournament's second round.
Terrance Henry brought Mississippi within one on a pair of foul shots with 18 seconds to go and Chris Warren then fouled Gutierrez. After Gutierrez boosted the Golden Bears in front by three, Henry missed a 3-pointer with a second to play.
Gutierrez was perfect in nine attempts from the foul line and led California (17-14) with 25 points. Allen Crabbe added 20 for the Golden Bears, who finished fifth in the Pacific-10 Conference.
Mississippi (20-13) was led by Warren, who made 5-of-14 from 3-point range and finished with 23 points.
