Mario Chalmers hit a 3-pointer with 2.1 seconds left in regulation to push the game into overtime, and the Jayhawks grinded it out from there for a 75-68 win Monday night over Memphis in one of the best title games in recent memory.

Chalmers' shot pulled Kansas into a tie after being down nine with 2:12 left. Memphis left the door open by missing four free throws down the stretch. And in a game where every point counted, Derrick Rose's two-point shot off glass that was initially ruled a 3 -- and correctly overturned -- also made a difference.

Chalmers' 3-pointer was never in doubt.

"We got the ball in our most clutch player's hands, and he delivered," Kansas coach Bill Self said.

It gave Kansas its first title since 1988, when Danny Manning, now an assistant coach for the Jayhawks, led them to an upset of Oklahoma. And the shot earned Chalmers the most outstanding player honor.

"I had a good look at it," Chalmers said. "When it left my hands it felt like it was good, and it just went in."

The most memorable performance in this one, though, came from Rose, the Memphis freshman, who completely took over the game in the second half, scoring 14 of his team's 16 points during one stretch to lift the Tigers to a 60-51 lead with 2:12 left.

Hustling the ball down the court with 10.8 seconds left and no timeouts, Sherron Collins handed off to Chalmers at the top of the 3-point line, and Chalmers took the shot. It hit nothing but net and tied the score at 63.

Robert Dozier missed a desperation shot at the buzzer, and Rose went limping to the bench, favoring his right leg. Brandon Rush, Darrell Arthur and Darnell Jackson scored the first six points of overtime to put Kansas ahead 69-63. Memphis, clearly exhausted, didn't pull any closer than three the rest of the way.

Arthur was dominant inside, finishing with 20 points and 10 rebounds, lots on dunks and easy lay-ups off lob passes.

Chalmers had with 18 points. Rush had 12 and Collins had 11 points, six assists and did a wonderful job shutting Rose for the first 28 minutes.

Rose wound up with 18 points in a game that showed how ready he is for the NBA. He was 3-for-4 from the line, however, and that one miss with 10.8 seconds left is what almost certainly would have sealed the game and given the Tigers (38-2) their first title.

Kansas, mostly Collins, put the clamps on Rose for the first half, allowing the freshman only four shots and leaving him spiking the ball on the floor as he walked to the lock er room after a frustrating 20 minutes.

Then, finally Rose took over -- a 3-pointer here, a scooping layup for a three-point play next.

Then, the capper, an off-balance, 18-foot shot off glass with the shot-clock buzzer sounding. Officials at first credited Rose with a 3, but went to the replay monitor and saw he was clearly inside the line.

"I thought this would be great," Self said, "and it's a lot better than I thought it would be."

KANSAS 75, MEMPHIS 68, OT

Kansas (37-3): Arthur 9-13 2-2 20, Robinson 1-1 0-0 2, Rush 5-9 2-3 12, Chalmers 5-13 6-6 18, Jackson 3-4 2-2 8, Kaun 2-5 0-0 4, Collins 4-10 2-2 11, Aldrich 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 29-55 14-15 75.

Memphis (38-2): Douglas-Roberts 7-16 6-9 22, Anderson 3-9 1-3 9, Dozier 4-11 2-3 11, Dorsey 3-3 0-0 6, Rose 7-17 3-4 18, Niles 0-0 0-0 0, Kemp 0-0 0-0 0, Taggart 1-5 0-0 2, Mack 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 25-62 12-19 68.

3-Point Goals: Kansas 3-12 (Chalmers 2-6, Collins 1-4, Rush 0-2), Memphis 6-22 (Douglas-Roberts 2-5, Anderson 2-7, Dozier 1-2, Rose 1-6, Taggart 0-1, Mack 0-1). Fouled Out: Dorsey. Rebounds: Kansas 39 (Arthur 10), Memphis 28 (Dozier 10). Assists: Kansas 14 (Collins 6), Memphis 14 (Rose 8). Total Fouls: Kansas 18, Memphis 17. A: 43,257.