Oregon advances to CBI finals

EUGENE, Ore. - Joevan Catron had 24 points and 11 rebounds and Oregon survived Boise State's late comeback attempt for a 79-71 victory Wednesday night in the semifinals of the College Basketball Invitational.

The victory puts the Ducks (19-17) into the best-of-three championship series against Creighton, the school first-year Oregon coach Dana Altman left last spring after 16 seasons. The opening game will be played in Omaha, Neb., on Monday.

E.J. Singler added 18 points for the Ducks, who made eight 3-pointers in the first half and then went 8 of 10 from the free throw line late to hold on after the Broncos (22-13) had cut a 20-point deficit to six with 1:21 to play.

Catron, who has had a double-double in all three of Oregon's CBI games, scored 14 of the Ducks' final 16 points.

Reggie Arnold led Boise State, in its first year under former Gonzaga assistant coach Leon Rice, with 24 points.