SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Christy Neneman scored a career-high 39 points to lead Creighton to a 77-74 victory over Drake in the championship game of the Missouri Valley Conference tournament Saturday.

Neneman, a sophomore guard, scored 23 points in the second half as the Bluejays (24-6) withstood a late rally by Drake (23-7) and clinched a berth in the NCAA tournament.

Carla Bennett led Drake with 21 points and Erin Richards added 15.

Drake used a 14-2 run in the second half to cut a 15-point deficit to three points, 55-52, with 11:16 left.

Neneman scored nine points in a two-minute span to give Creighton a 64-55 lead with 8:42 left.

A basket by Jayme Anderson pulled Drake to 73-71 with 1:41 left.

Trailing 75-74, Drake had a chance to tie, but Anderson missed a free throw.

Neneman hit to two free throws to make it 77-74, and a turnover ended Drake's hope of a shot at tying the game.