Salinas knocked down four three pointers and scored 20 points in the first nine minutes of the game as UTD built a quick 29-15 lead. Salinas would add two more three pointers in the half to finish with 26 at the break knocking down 8-8 shots and 6-6 three pointers.
The Choctaws held the tournament MVP scoreless in the second half but the damage had been done as UTD led 45-18 at halftime.
The Choctaws could not get anything going in the first half shooting just 30 percent, 1-10 on three point attempts.
MC opened the second half with a 7-0 run and trailed 65-52 with 2:55 remaining, but they would get no closer.
Kersh Milson added 16 points and Jason Malone and Travis Caruthers scored eleven and ten respectively.
The Choctaws were led by Jaszmine Eugene and Tyler Winford who each scored eleven.
MC entered the game as the South Region's #1 ranked team, a position they held every week of the NCAA Regional Poll this season.
UTD earns an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III National Tournament with the championship win. MC must wait until tonight to learn if they will earn an at-large spot in the tourney. Tournament pairing will be released tonight at 9:30 p.m.
All Tournament Team
UTD, Martin Salinas, MVP
UTD, Kersh Milson
UTD, Jason Malone
MC, Jason Walker
MC, Jaszmine Eugene
Sul Ross, Sidney Hooper
Hardin-Simmons, Calvin Nite
Newspaper Box Score UTD vs MC 02/27/05 2:00 at Clinton, MS At Clinton, MS UTD 73, MC 55 UTD (14-13 (12-12)ASC) Martin Salinas 8-11 4-5 26; Kersh Milson 4-9 8-9 16; Jason Malone 3-8 3-4 11; Travis Caruthers 2-7 5-5 10; Eric Chatham 2-2 0-0 4; Tyrone Hurt 0-1 4-6 4; Bart Holloway 1-2 0-0 2; Jay Swafford 0-1 0-0 0; Richard Gravenstein 0-1 0-0 0; Brent Anderson 0-1 0-0 0; Frank Faber 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 20-44 24-29 73. MC (23-3 (21-3) ASC) Jaszmine Eugene 4-7 3-4 11; Tyler Winford 4-8 2-2 11; Jason Walker 2-4 1-2 7; Orlando Lewis 2-9 0-0 5; Cedric Armstrong 2-8 0-0 5; Shederick Kirk 1-3 2-2 5; Patrick Veal 1-2 1-2 3; David Doty 1-1 0-0 2; Willie Powers 1-1 0-0 2; Jimmy Johns 1-6 0-0 2; Lonnie Vasquez 1-3 0-0 2; Marcus Evans 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 20-54 9-12 55. UTD........................... 45 28 - 73 MC............................ 18 37 - 55 3-point goals-UTD 9-17 (Martin Salinas 6-9; Jason Malone 2-2; Travis Caruthers 1-2; Bart Holloway 0-1; Jay Swafford 0-1; Richard Gravenstein 0-1; Kersh Milson 0-1), MC 6-26 (Jason Walker 2-4; Orlando Lewis 1-6; Tyler Winford 1-4; Shederick Kirk 1-2; Cedric Armstrong 1-6; Lonnie Vasquez 0-1; Jimmy Johns 0-1; Jaszmine Eugene 0-2). Fouled out--UTD-None, MC-None. Rebounds-UTD 28 (Martin Salinas 5; Jason Malone 5), MC 35 (Jaszmine Eugene 7). Assists-UTD 11 (Kersh Milson 3; Jason Malone 3), MC 11 (Shederick Kirk 3). Total fouls-UTD 15, MC 19.