New Orleans, LA (SportsNetwork.com) - R.J. Hunter made two free throws with 21.6 seconds remaining to lift Georgia State to a 38-36 win over Georgia Southern in Sunday's Sun Belt Conference Tournament championship game.

Kevin Ware had a shot blocked by Curtis Diamond, but Hunter grabbed the offensive rebound and drew a foul.

Georgia Southern's Mike Hughes and Eric Ferguson each missed 3-pointers in the waning seconds.

A year after losing in overtime to Louisiana-Lafayette in the title game, the top-seeded Panthers (24-9) earned their third NCAA Tournament berth and first since 2001.

Georgia State head coach Ron Hunter tore his left Achilles tendon while celebrating the victory, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

R.J. Hunter, the coach's son, finished with nine points in the low-scoring final.

Ware, who suffered a compound fracture to his right leg two years ago in the NCAA Tournament while playing for Louisville, was the only player to reach double figures in points, finishing with 18.

Trent Wiedeman and Jelani Hewitt each had eight points for the second-seeded Eagles (22-9), who were held to 22.9 percent shooting.

Georgia Southern grabbed its only lead at 30-29 when Hughes nailed a 3- pointer and Kyle Doyle hit a layup with 9:30 remaining in the game. It marked the one time the Eagles made consecutive field goals.

Georgia State led by as many as seven in the first half before taking a 19-16 advantage into the break.