Boxscore

OMAHA, Neb. -- Once the Creighton Bluejays (15-10, 7-6) began to control the boards, they controlled the game, and the result was a 75-69 Creighton victory over the University of Evansville (13-10, 7-6) Saturday afternoon.

The loss ended a four-game Missouri Valley Conference winning streak for the Purple Aces.  They return home Tuesday night to play third place Northern Iowa at Roberts Stadium at 7:05.

The Bluejays went on a 9-0 run to end the first half and turn a 32-28 Evansville lead into a 37-32 Creighton advantage despite 64 percent shooting by the Aces in the first half.  Creighton didn't slow down to begin the second half, outscoring the Aces 18-6 to take a 55-38 lead on Antoine Young's three-pointer with 11:36 to play.

The Aces came back, however, and eventually cut the margin to six at 71-65 with 30 seconds to play, but the Bluejays shut the door with free throws in the final seconds to keep Evansville from getting closer than six points.  The loss came despite one of UE's best shooting days of the year.  The Aces hit 28 of 49 shots for 57% shooting, but the big difference was Creighton's rebounding.  The Bluejays' size advantage produced 15 offensive rebounds, and Creighton outscored Evansville 17-0 on second chance points.

Colt Ryan's 20 points and Denver Holmes' 15 led the Aces.  Young scored 21 points for the Jays and freshman Doug McDermott added 15 points and 10 rebounds, five of them offensive boards.