ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Jermaine Mallett scored 18 points and matched his career high with 11 rebounds to lead top-seeded Missouri State past Creighton 60-50 in the Missouri Valley Conference semifinals Saturday.
The Bears (25-7) advanced to their first championship game since 2005 and will play either Wichita State or Indiana State on Sunday.
Kenny Lawson had 12 points and was the only player in double figures for the Bluejays (19-14).
Missouri State trailed 30-25 at halftime and by eight twice in the second half, the last coming at 35-27 with 18:09 left.
The Bears later went on a 15-2 run to take a 52-44 led with 5:36 remaining, then held off Creighton, which made just 1 of 12 shots during Missouri State's spurt.
Kyle Weems added 15 points, Nafis Ricks had 13 and Adam Leonard 10 for the Bears.
(Copyright ©2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKTVO