Feb. 20, 2010

Box Score

OMAHA, Neb. - Host Creighton (14-14) shot 56 percent (15-for-27) from the field and outscored Loyola University Chicago (14-13) 44-25 in the second half to earn a 78-58 victory tonight at Qwest Center Omaha. The loss is only the Ramblers' second in 11 contests versus non-conference opponents this season.

"We didn't take care of the ball and rushed some shots early in the second half," Loyola head coach Jim Whitesell said. "We just didn't have many quality possessions in the second half and give Creighton a lot of credit for that."

Loyola jumped out to a quick start as Ben Averkamp and Terrance Hill accounted for five points apiece as the Ramblers jumped out to a 10-5 lead. However, a pair of free throws by Kenny Lawson Jr. began an 8-0 Bluejay run that gave the hosts a 13-10 lead they would never relinquish.

After Creighton opened up a 32-20 lead with 4:45 left in the half, the Ramblers finished the period with a flurry by scoring 13 of the final 15 points of the half. Andy Polka's jumper with four seconds remaining sent Loyola into the break down just one, 34-33.

Following an early bucket by each team in the second half, a Lawson free throw ignited an 11-0 Creighton run that extended its lead to 47-35. A three-pointer by Geoff McCammon with 7:42 left to play brought the Ramblers within nine points (57-48), but that is as close as they would get the rest of the night.

Walt Gibler tallied a team-high 15 points and added eight rebounds off the bench to lead Loyola, which also received 12 points from Hill and 11 from McCammon.

Lawson Jr recorded 19 points and 10 rebounds to pace Creighton.

Loyola returns home to face Milwaukee Feb. 25.