November 18, 1998

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) - Kevin Ault scored 20 points Wednesday night as Southwest Missouri State beat Missouri 72-69 in the opening round of the preseason NIT and broke the Tigers' 28-year winning streak against other Missouri schools.

The Tigers hadn't lost to an in-state opponent since Dec. 8, 1970, when they were beaten 79-70 by St. Louis.

Southwest Missouri's last outing against the Tigers was exactly 10 years before Wednesday's game - and also in the first round of the preseason NIT. Missouri won 73-54 on Nov. 18, 1988.

The Bears, who meet the winner of Wednesday's Stanford-Southern Methodist game in the second round, went up 70-68 when Ken Stringer hit two free throws with 1:55 remaining.

Missouri, which trailed 49-38 with just over 18 minutes left, fought back behind 14 second-half points from forward Albert White and tied the game at 68 with 2:38 on two free throws by Johnnie Parker.

Parker's free throws followed eight straight points by White.

White's 18 points and 11 rebounds led Missouri, which missed two 3-point tries in the final 4 seconds.

Southwest Missouri, which went on a 7-0 run to start the second half, took an 11-2 lead early in the game.

Missouri, sparked by Brian Grawer and freshman Kenyon Dooling, fought back and took 21-20 lead just before the midpoint of the first half.

Grawer hit two 3-pointers and scored eight points in a 12-2 run, and Dooling - who had not been expected to play because of a hip injury - started the surge with a pair of free throws and a breakaway dunk.

Ault, who scored five points in the Bears' early 11-0 run, had seven more in the last 4:30 of the first half as Southwest Missouri State took a 42-38 lead at the break.