COLLEGE BASKETBALL : New Mexico State Beats Illinois, 95-94, to Win Alaska Shootout
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Sam Crawford scored 32 points, including the winning free throw, as New Mexico State beat Illinois, 95-94, to win the 15th Great Alaska Shootout on Saturday night.
With less than a minute to play and the score tied, 94-94, Andy Kaufmann of Illinois, who led his team with 32 points, missed a three-pointer and the Aggies played the clock down for a final shot.
Brooks Taylor fouled Crawford with 10 seconds remaining and he missed the first free throw, but made the second.
“I love pressure--it’s my favorite part of the game,†said Crawford, a 5-foot-8 guard from Westchester High and Moorpark College who was voted the tournament’s most outstanding player.
Cliff Reed scored 18 points for New Mexico State. Tom Michael had 21 points and Deon Thomas 19 for Illinois.
Kaufmann, who shot nearly 70% from the field during the first two games, went only 12 for 29.
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