It wasn’t the way a coach would draw it up, in fact most coaches would cringe at the though of making 2-of-10 free throws down the stretch and making zero field goals over the final 8:28 of a game. But that’s exactly what MU did last night in a 63-61 win over 12th-ranked Gonzaga at Mizzou Arena Thursday. Kevin Young’s bucket with 8:28 to go in the game gave Missouri a 61-51 lead, but that proved to be their final field goal of the contest. Missouri hit two free throws for their only points the rest of the way. Missouri had to hold off a final charge when Adam Morrison grabbed a missed free throw from Kalen Grimes with 7.6 seconds to go. Ronny Touriaf took a shot with three seconds to go which missed and Morrison got the rebound at the top of the key and heaved a three-pointer which didn’t go in. Touriaf averages 19 points per game, but was held to just six points on 2-of-15 shooting. Jason Conley led Mizzou with 16 points and 13 rebounds in front of 14,675 fans—it was the biggest crowd ever at the Mizzou Arena.

If Roberto Alomar is going to be a St. Louis Cardinal, it probably won’t be until next week. The newspaper Newsday reported yesterday that the two sides had agreed to a one-year deal. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch said in today’s edition that there is no signed deal and that Alomar will be in next week to take a physical. Last year Alomar’s season was hampered with a broken hand. He’s a 12-time All-Star and a 10-time Gold Glove winner.

The SMS Bears opened up their Missouri Valley Conference schedule with a 62-61 loss to Illinois St. in Normal, Illinois Thursday night. SMS trailed 34-27 after the first half, but battled back in the second. They tied the game at 36-36 early on in the second half, but the Cardinals responded with two straight baskets, regained the lead and never relinquished it again. SMS has followed up a six-game winning streak by losing the last two contests and have fallen to 6-3 overall and 0-1 in the Missouri Valley Conference.