OMAHA, Neb. -- Reigning MVC Player of the Year Kyle Weems scored 25 of his career-high 31 points after halftime as Missouri State defeated No. 21 Creighton, 77-65, in the Missouri Valley Conference opener for both teams.

Missouri State improved to 8-5, while Creighton dropped to 10-2.

In addition to Weems' personal-high outburst, fellow guard Anthony Downing dropped a career-high 26 points for the Bears.

Creighton was led by 19 points and 12 rebounds from Doug McDermott, while Antoine Young (13) and Josh Jones (11) also scored in double-digits.

Creighton returns to action on Saturday at 5 pm when it visits defending NIT champion Wichita State.