BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) – Doug McDermott scored 27 points to lead Creighton past Alabama-Birmingham 70-60 on Wednesday night.  The Bluejays (3-0) trailed 48-44 in the second half before scoring six straight to take the lead on Austin Chatman’s layup with 8:15 to play.  The Blazers (0-1) tied it on Jekore Tyler’s jumper with 5:55 left, but they wouldn’t lead the rest of the way.  Creighton answered with a 14-3 run capped by Antoine Young’s jumper with 2:29 left for a 64-53 lead.  McDermott was 11 of 18 from the field as the Bluejays made 27 of 63 from the field (42.9 percent). Creighton outrebounded the Blazers 41-35, led by Gregory Echenique’s 10 boards.  Tyler and Jordan Swing led UAB with 14 points apiece. Ovie Soko added 10 points and Cameron Moore also chipped in 12 rebounds for the Blazers, who outscored Creighton 21-2 off the bench.

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State fans have cleared an unprecedented hurdle in Cyclone history. More than 50,000 tickets have been purchased for Friday’s 7 p.m. game against No. 2 Oklahoma State.  Iowa State drew more than 50,000 fans at every home game this season, a Cyclone first. Iowa State has drawn more than 50,000 fans to Jack Trice Stadium in November eight times, including twice this season in the Cyclones’ win over Kansas Nov. 5. Iowa State is assured of topping the former single-season per game attendance average of 51,906 in 1982. If another ticket for the game was not sold, the Iowa State record stands 53,309 this season.

In addition the following offers are still available:

The Iowa State Four pack is available through 5 p.m. Thursday.  For $40, fans get four hillside tickets, four sodas and four hot dogs.

The $10 Faculty/Staff appreciation tickets are on sale through 5 p.m. Thursday.

Lil Clone Club kids and their parents can sit in reserved seats for this game (first come – first serve basis – select sections).  In addition, Lil Clone Club kids can bring a friend to the game free of charge.

College students from any school can get a $5 ticket by presenting their college ID.

Gold towels will be given away to the first 30,000 who enter the game (while supplies last).  Gates open 90 minutes before kickoff.

Iowa State Season Football Average

2011 – 53,309  ( if ISU doesn’t sell another ticket before kickoff)
1982 – 51,906
1981 – 50,114
1980 – 50,097
2007 – 49,462

ST. LOUIS (AP) – New Cardinals manager Mike Matheny is keeping most of Tony La Russa’s coaching staff. Mark McGwire and Dave Duncan are staying on for 2012, but first base coach Dave McKay and bench coach Joe Pettini were both dropped from their positions on Wednesday. Both will remain in the organization and assist in baseball operations. McGwire will enter his third season with the club. The 66-year-old Duncan was La Russa’s pitching coach with the Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics and the Cardinals. They were announced Wednesday as coaches for 2012 under Mike Matheny, who succeeded La Russa as manager following the team’s World Series title.

Bullpen coach Derek Lilliquist returns, and assistant hitting coach Mike Aldrete was elevated to bench coach. Chris Maloney, the manager at Triple-A Memphis the past five seasons, replaces McKay. The 66-year-old Duncan will enter his 17th season with the Cardinals and 33rd overall, most among major league pitching coaches. He had been the only member of La Russa’s staff under contract for next year. Duncan missed several weeks last season tending to his wife, Janine, who had surgery in August to remove a brain tumor. The Cardinals beat a self-imposed deadline of having a staff in place by the end of the week, just as they did when announcing they had hired the 41-year-old Matheny to a two-year contract with a club option for a third season on Sunday.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – The Kansas City Chiefs will lean on a journeyman quarterback, a running back who’s spent most of his career on special teams and a tight end who has a hard time catching a cold on Monday night against New England. Not exactly what general manager Scott Pioli had in mind when he put this team together. Injuries have hurt the Chiefs this season, particularly on offense. Pro Bowl quarterback Matt Cassel, All-Pro running back Jamaal Charles and standout tight end Tony Moeaki have gone down with what are likely to be season-ending injuries. Tyler Palko will be making his first career start at quarterback.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel has had surgery on his injured throwing hand and coach Todd Haley still hopes that he will be back this season. Cassel hurt his right hand in Sunday’s 17-10 loss to Denver. The former Pro Bowl quarterback had surgery Monday evening to repair what Haley called a “significant” injury. Haley said Wednesday he doesn’t know when Cassel will be able to return. The team has not placed him on injured reserve, which means he could return this season. Haley said much of that will depend on how Cassel recovers this week. The Chiefs play Monday night at New England, giving backup Tyler Palko a little more time to prepare. Rookie Ricky Stanzi will be the backup.