After tight first half, Creighton pulls away from Seton Hall

Ryan Kalkbrenner had 23 points and grabbed his 1,000th career rebound as Creighton blew past Seton Hall 79-54 in Big East action Saturday afternoon in Omaha, Neb.

The 7-foot-1 Kalkbrenner became the third player in Creighton history with 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds. He went 9 for 10 from the floor Saturday as depleted Seton Hall struggled to match up with him inside. Steven Ashworth had five threes and 17 points for the Bluejays.

Both Kalkbrenner and Ashworth checked out with 5:26 left. Creighton (14-6, 7-2) has won five straight and seven of eight, while Seton Hall (6-14, 1-8) has lost five in a row and 10 of 11.

Down by four at the break, the Pirates were held to 20 points in the second half. Prince Aligbe had 12 points while Garwey Duel had 10 points and five assists.

After a tight first half, the Bluejays broke it open as the Pirates went over five minutes without a point. Creighton opened the half with a 9-0 run capped by a Kalkbrenner dunk to make it 47-34, and two threes by Isaac Traudt to build on the lead from there.

The Pirates played without their top two scorers, Isaiah Coleman (back) and Chaunce Jenkins (knee), but the visitors were sharp in the first half, using the pick-and-roll for open shots at the free-throw line.

When Scotty Middleton converted from the elbow with 5:25 left in the first half, the Pirates led 28-20 and the home crowd started to get restless. Creighton charged back with an 8-0 run capped by a three by Ashworth, then took a 32-30 lead on a reverse layup by Traudt. The Bluejays led 38-34 at the break.

There was a scary moment for Kalkbrenner midway through the first half. He was chopped hard on the arm and went to the locker room flexing his left hand, but he soon returned.

Seton Hall got some good news with the return of Dylan Addae-Wusu after a foot injury. Addae-Wusu didn't start and finished with five points.

Creighton shot 58.3 percent from the floor, while Seton Hall shot 42.6.

--Field Level Media