CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Stuart Creason scored 22 points on 9-of-10 shooting to lead Colorado State past Alabama State 61-56 Friday night in the opening round of the Dr Pepper Classic.
Creason, a 7-footer, was the only Ram in double figures for Colorado State (9-2). He also had a game-high 10 rebounds.
Alabama State (2-8), which led 31-28 at halftime, was paced by Andrew Hayles with 21 points and followed by Dustin Richmond with 10.
The Rams shot 53.2 percent from the field compared to 37 percent for Alabama State. The Hornets made just 1-of-9 3-pointers and 4-of-13 free throws in the second half when Colorado State rallied. The Rams were cold behind the arc, too, hitting just 2-of-14 for the game.
Colorado State will face host Chattanooga (7-6) in the championship Saturday, after the Mocs beat Kennesaw State 83-67.
NEW MEXICO 101, PEPPERDINE 96: At Albuquerque, J.R. Giddens scored a career-high 26 points and Jamaal Smith hit eight free throws in the final two minutes as New Mexico held off Pepperdine in the championship game of the Lobo Invitational on Friday. New Mexico (11-3) used the 3-point shooting of Giddens and reserve Chad Toppert to beat the Waves (4-11), who lost despite shooting 61 percent in the second half and having six players in double figures.
No. 23 AIR FORCE 78, SANTA CLARA 48: At Santa Clara, Calif., Jacob Burtschi scored 16 points with four 3-pointers and Air Force (13-1) hit a season-high 16 3s on the way to its ninth straight victory in the championship game of the Cable Car Classic. Andrew Henke, Matt McCraw and Nick Welch all added 13 points with three 3s.