Morning Box Score

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Dec 24, 2008 4:15PM

AP Photo/Duane Burleson

Pistons Play the Grinch
There was no Christmas miracle for the Bulls as they couldn't overcome a slow start and the Pistons held off a late rally to hold on for a 104-98 victory over the Bulls. Larry Hughes led all Bulls with 19 points while Andres Nocioni and Ben Gordon both scored 18. Rodney Stuckey paced the Pistons and led all scorers with 40. With the Bulls falling behind early once more, down by as many as 19 points at one point in the first half, Coach Vinny del Negro expressed frustration, saying, "We just dug ourselves too much of a hole again. We tried to make a run, but the foul trouble really hurt us.'' The Bulls get the next two days off before heading to Miami to play the Heat on Friday.

College Basketball
Illinois came away from their annual trip to St. Louis with a 75-59 victory over No. 25 Missouri in the annual Braggin' Rights game. Trent Meachem led all scorers with 23 points and Demetri McCamey added 20.

DePaul rallied after a lackluster start, but ultimately fell to Creighton 83-75 in the championship game of the Las Vegas Classic. Dar Tucker had 32 points in the losing effort.

The UIC Flames torched Toledo 65-55. Scott VanderMeer had a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds as the Flames moved to 8-3 on the season.

Michael Thompson and Craig Moore both had 14 points to lead Northwestern past SMU 66-55.