Online wire reports
Jan. 18, 2012
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Gregory Echenique scored 16 points, and Doug McDermott added 15 to help No. 19 Creighton beat Missouri State 66-65 on Wednesday night.
Echenique was 5 of 6 from the field, made all six of his free throws and added seven rebounds for the Bluejays (17-2, 7-1 Missouri Valley Conference).
Anthony Downing had 14 points for Missouri State (11-9, 4-4). Kyle Weems added 13 points, 11 in the second half.
Missouri State had two late chances, but missed both shots en route to its third straight loss.
Weems missed a shot off the back of the rim, and McDermott was fouled on the rebound with 6.4 second left.
McDermott then missed a free throw, giving the Bears another chance. Downing drove the length of the court, but his jumper from the free-throw line rimmed out as the buzzer sounded.
Creighton, which trailed 56-53 with 7:37 left, took the lead at 61-58 on Josh Jones 3-pointer with 4:46 left. The Bears rallied to tie it at 63 with 2:50 to play on Weems jumper and Downings two free throws.
Grant Gibbs scored with 1:06 left to give Creighton a 66-63 lead, and Jarmar Gulley completed the scoring with 55.1 seconds left.