Creighton University
Drake
Drake Downs Men's Basketball in Valley Semi's, 75-67
3/8/2008 5:45:00 PM | Men's Basketball
ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- No. 20 Drake advanced to its first Missouri Valley Conference Tournament final in school history with a 75-67 win over Creighton on Saturday afternoon action at Scottrade Center. The Bulldogs won for the school-record 27th time in 31 games this season while sweeping three games against Creighton (21-10) this season.
Creighton led 18-13 midway through the first half but would miss 11 of its final 12 shots of the first half as Drake embarked on a 17-3 run that stretched the Bulldog lead to 30-21 at the half.
The Bluejays scored the first seven points of the second half to close within two at 30-28 before a three-point play from Valley Player of the Year Adam Emmenecker moved the lead back to five. Emmenecker ended the contest with 20 points and a career-high 11 assists for his second double-double in as many days in St. Louis.
Creighton would also get within two points at 33-31 with 15:21 left as well as 45-43 with 11:01 to go. However, on DU's next possession a three-point basket rolled around the twice before dropping in, a play that seemed to energize the top-seeded Bulldogs. After a CU shot clock violation when Kenton Walker lost the ball going up for a dunk, Leonard Houston drained a trey for Drake that swelled the lead to eight. Drake's lead reached as much as large as 10 on nine occasions in the second half, but Dana Altman's Bluejay club never gave up.
The Jays got within four (68-64) with 45 seconds left on a 18-foot jumper from Stinnett. CU's Cavel Witter then got a steal on a double-team of Emmenecker in the backcourt, but his short baseline jumper rimmed off an the Jays had to foul the rest of the way and couldn't chase down college basketball's top story of 2007-08.
Drake hit 16-of-18 free throws after half and finished 20-of-26 for the game at the stripe. Emmenecker was 12-of-13 at the line, with his only miss coming after a technical foul on Stinnett with 2:45 to play in the first half. All five Drake starters scored in double-figures. In addition to Emmenecker, all-Valley backcourt mate Josh Young had 16 points while second-team picks Leonard Houston had 16 and Jonathan Cox 10 points to go with 11 rebounds. Korver, part of a family that includes former Creighton All-American Kyle Korver and current Bluejay freshman Kaleb Korver, had 13 points. Drake shot 41.8 percent for the game and 9-of-28 from three-point range.
Creighton was paced by 18 points from Stinnett while Booker Woodfox and Dane Watts each had 13. Also in double-figures with 11 points was Cavel Witter, who scored all his points in the final four minutes. Creighton shot 42.4 percent for the game, including 7-of-24 from three-point land. Kenny Lawson Jr. tied his career-high with 11 rebounds for the game, all but two in the first half.
Creighton will learn its postseason fate on Sunday, March 16. The Jays have made 10 consecutive postseason bids and can establish a league-record with an 11th straight appearance.
