Creighton University
Missouri State
Men's Basketball Outlasts Bears, 50-49
1/5/2008 5:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- P'Allen Stinnett had a game-high 18 points, including the game-winning free throw with 56.9 seconds left, to lead the Creighton men's basketball team to a 50-49 win over Missouri State on Saturday night.
The Bluejays held MSU to just four first-half field goals while building a 29-15 halftime lead, then held on down the stretch.
MSU tied the game for the first time in the second half on a three-pointer by Spencer Laurie with 2:06 left, only to have CU point guard Josh Dotzler give CU the lead on a basket in traffic. Dotzler would foul MSU guard Chris Cooks after the shot, and Cooks subsequently tied the game with two free throws.
The Jays then isolated Stinnett, who was fouled on an elbow jumper with under a minute left. Stinnett missed his first try, and after angrily throwing his mouthpiece to the side he would drain the second to give CU the lead.
The Jays regained possssion on a held ball and milked the shot clock, which had a 12-second differential. Dotzler missed a three-pointer and MSU rebounded with about 10 seconds left and trailing by one, but Spencer Laurie's off-balance trey at the buzzer missed.
Stinnett led all players with 18 points, while Dane Watts had 12 points for CU. The Jays shot 34.1 percent for the game and owned a 38-30 lead on the glass. CU won despite 22 turnovers, including nine straight possessions during one poor second half stretch.
MSU was led by 12 points from Deven Mitchell and Chris Cooks. The Bears shot just 28.9 percent for the game (13-45), including a 4-of-22 showing in the first half.
The Bluejays return to action on Wednesday with a 7:05 pm home game against Evansville. The game will be televised on NET-1 and can be heard on KXSP (Big Sports 590 AM).
NOTES: Creighton redshirt freshman Kenny Lawson Jr. made his first career start, replacing Chad Millard in the starting five ...Dana Altman improved to 42-0 all-time when his teams allow 50 points or less in his Division I coaching career.
