Meeks lifts Kentucky over Creighton in NIT, 65-63

Published 2:16 am Tuesday, March 24, 2009

OMAHA, Neb. — After getting shut down much of the night, Jodie Meeks converted a three-point play with 10.6 seconds left to give Kentucky a 65-63 victory over Creighton in the second round of the NIT on Monday night.

The Wildcats (22-13) advanced to a quarterfinal game at Notre Dame on Wednesday. The Bluejays, who came in off wins in 12 of their past 13 games, finished the season 27-8.

Kentucky played from behind most of the night but found themselves in position to win after Justin Carter missed two free throws with 36.4 seconds left.

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Meeks, held in check by P’Allen Stinnett and Antoine Young for long stretches, blew past Stinnett on his way to the basket and got fouled by Carter. After he made the free throw for a two-point lead, Booker Woodfox missed what would have been the winning 3-pointer just before the buzzer.

Meeks led the Wildcats with 16 points, Perry Stevenson added 13 points and 10 rebounds and Patrick Patterson had 12 points.

Saint Mary’s 80,

Davidson 68

MORAGA, Calif. (AP) — Patty Mills had 23 points and 10 assists while outdueling Stephen Curry in a matchup of two elite guards, leading Saint Mary’s into the NIT quarterfinals.

Curry had 26 points, nine rebounds and five assists in what might have been the national scoring leader’s final game for the Wildcats (27-8), but Mills overcame his awful 3-point shooting with effective passing and just enough of his usual daredevil drives to the hoop, preventing Davidson from rallying late.

Omar Samhan added 18 points and nine rebounds for the Gaels (28-6), who will play Wednesday night at San Diego State, with the winner getting a trip to Madison Square Garden next week for the NIT semifinals.