College Basketball 3/30/10 CIT Finals
Missouri State Bears (18-16) (MVC)-Pacific Tigers (23-11) (Big West)
A 10-0 Missouri State run with six minutes remaining broke open a tie game to lift them over Creighton 67-61. Grind it out games have been typical of the Bears on the year and their defense was up to the task. Old fashioned in your face D that challenged every shot did the trick and when Creighton had an open shot, it found iron more often than not. The Bears held the Jays to 38% from the floor and with the boxscore even through out, their 44% shooting although not great was enough to make the difference. Missouri State placed four players in double digits led by Adam Leonard and Nafis Ricks with 15 points apiece. Ten players saw floor time but the top four was responsible for all but 13 points.
Pacific laid waste to another vaunted offense in a 64-56 win over Appalachian State that sends them to the CIT Championship. The Tigers didn't shoot well but didn't have to with a 48-34 margin on the glass that included 16 offensive boards. Second chance scoring killed the Mountaineers and a 19 point first half didn't help. Solid Pacific defense and 33% ASU markmanship was enough to put the Mountaineers in catch up mode from the opening tip and even their potent attack wasn't going to fill the hole they hole they had dug. Sam Willard dominated both sides of the ball with 22 points and ten rebounds but nine players found their way their way to the floor and all scored and all had at least one rebound.
Bears offense: 71 ppg 14 apg 35 rpg 45%
Bears defense: 65 ppg 12 apg 31 rpg 44%
Pacific offense: 66 ppg 13 apg 35 rpg 44%
Pacific defense: 61 ppg 10 apg 32 rpg 41%
Neither team is known for their offensive prowess but Missouri State certainly has more potential to score than Pacific. A good offensive day to the Tigers is when they hit 60% of their free throws. Not going to be a high scoring affair or a thing of beauty but the points seem generous.
Mark's Pick: Pacific +6
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