Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Creighton
Fresno State Falls to Creighton, 84-65
12/22/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 23, 2008
LAS VEGAS, Nev. (AP) - Despite playing a strong first half to a halftime tied score, the Bulldogs fell 84-65 to the Creighton Bluejays in the third round of the Las Vegas Classic on Monday night in the Orleans Arena.
Freshman guard Paul George drained 21 points while hitting 3-pointers arch for the third straight game to lead Fresno State (6-6) in scoring and record his fourth career game with more than 20 points. Junior forward Sylvester Seay added 17 points and five rebounds and senior guard Dwight O'Neil netted 16 points while shooting six of eight from the field.
The `Dogs took their first lead of the game when O'Neil drove the floor for a lay-up that gave Fresno State a 20-18 edge with just over seven minutes to play in the first half.
Creighton (9-2), which opened the second half rejuvenated went on a 10-3 run, won its sixth straight contest as they advance to the championship round to play Creighton on Tuesday night.
The Bluejays led by double digits over the game's final 10 minutes after P'Allen Stinnett and Woodfox hit consecutive 3-pointers to extend the lead to 64-50.
Creighton made 20 of 25 free throws and shot 57 percent in the second half. It only had one turnover in the second half and outrebounded Fresno State 36-28.
Booker Woodfox had 24 points and Kenny Lawson Jr added 15 to lead Creighton.
Fresno State will take on Rick Majerus and the Saint Louis Billikens on Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. in the final round of the tournament. The game can be heard live on KMJ 580 AM or www.kmj580.com
"Join the State - Fresno State!" - The `Dogs are in Las Vegas, Nev., to finish up the Las Vegas Classic December 22-23. The `Dogs will play either Saint Louis on Tuesday, December 23. The `Dogs return to the Save Mart Center on Saturday, January 3 as they open WAC play against New Mexico State at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are on sale now through the Save Mart Center box office, by calling (559) 485-TIXS or online at ticketmaster.com.
