No. 1 Iowa nearly erased a 10-point deficit in the closing minutes of the nonselect Division II state championship game on Friday at Burton Coliseum. But No. 2 Wossman repelled the Yellow Jackets rally to win 70-65 and its first state championship since 2008.

“I am proud of the kids for the way they fought back,” Iowa head coach Rob Melanson said. “It was a close game throughout. We were chasing and it seemed like every time we would climb back in there was a loose ball, maybe a missed rebound, something little that happened that we just couldn’t get over the hump.

“They have given me everything. These six seniors have given me everything. My whole team has given me everything. I am proud of the team. Some things just didn’t go our way tonight.”

Not only did the loss end the Yellow Jackets’ (29-5) season, but it also marked the end of the career of Melanson, who announced his retirement in the postgame press conference. In 31 seasons, Melanson took Lacassine, Comeaux and Iowa to the state tournament. Iowa finals appearance was the first in program history.

“I am not disappointed,” Melanson said. “It was an enjoyable season.

“This is my last season. Tonight is my last ball game, and it hurts. It hurts that I am not going to be coaching these (players). Like I told them in P.E. today, I said these six seniors this is the last time you are going to be on the floor. I have never had a team before where I could say this is the last time.”

With 62 seconds left, Wossman (34-4) led 63-53 after a free throw by Antron Mason II. But in a span of 38 seconds, Iowa was knocking on the door again. Desamonte Gradney started the rally with a bucket in the lane. Cameron Washington’s three cut the Wildcats lead to five and Gradney had a three-point play with 24 seconds left to cut Wossman’s lead to 65-63.

With 14 seconds left, Iowa was still down two, 67-65, after a putback by Josiah Bushnell.

After being held to four points in the first half and pickup up two fouls in the first quarter, Iowa senior Dashawn Ceaser scored 16 points in the second half, including 14 in the fourth quarter. Gradney finished with 22 points.

Wossman senior guard Krystian Lewis was the game MVP with 25 points and eight rebounds.

The first quarter was a back and forth battle with nine lead changes.

Iowa took its biggest lead of the game with 12 seconds left in the first quarter when Victor Fisher Jr. scored off an offensive rebound for a 17-14 advantage.

Iowa turned the ball over on three of its first four possessions of the second quarter, and the Wildcats went on a 7-2 run to take a 21-19 lead on a pair of free throws by Lewis with 4:42 left in the quarter.