ST. LOUIS, Mo. - The University of Northern Iowa basketball team shared the Missouri Valley Conference regular-season championship with Creighton.

After Sunday's tournament title game, the Panthers celebrated all alone.

In front of a national television audience, UNI clinched a spot in the field of 65 for next week's NCAA Tournament with an entertaining 60-57 overtime victory over Illinois State at the Scottrade Center.

"I can't even describe it," Panther forward Adam Koch said. "As a kid, you watch the tournament and dream of playing in it.

"To win the game like we did, that's March Madness right there. That's one of the games you watch on TV in March and you just love it. For us to be part of one like that, it's pretty special."

It was just the second overtime game in the tournament's 19-year St. Louis history. The other was UNI's double-overtime triumph over Missouri State in the 2004 championship.

"I've never been in a game like this before, but it's a dream for everyone that plays basketball, to be in a game like this with the NCAA tournament on the line," freshman Johnny Moran said.

As the final horn sounded, UNI students and members of the pep band stormed the floor. Head coach Ben Jacobson raised his arms in jubilation, and sophomore point guard Kwadzo Ahelegbe bursted into tears.

UNI is headed to the Big Dance for the fourth time in six years but first under Jacobson.

After a 6-6 start to the season, the Panthers have won 17 of their last 21 games and matched a school-record for victories in a season with 23.

"Nobody expected us to be here except for our coaching staff and the community that's around us," Ahelegbe said. "We never gave up. It feels great, especially to share it with these guys right here."

The Panthers will learn their tournament opponent and destination Sunday night. First-round games will be played March 19 and 20.

"It's a dream we've all been waiting for, for a long time," sophomore Lucas O'Rear said. "It's finally upon us."

Contact Matt Coss at (319) 291-1468 or matt.coss@wcfcourier.com

Check Monday's Courier and online edition for game story and other reaction from Sunday's game