Creighton uses 25-2 first half scoring surge to rout Marquette

Field Level Media|published: Sat 20th December, 23:07 2025

Dec 20, 2025; Omaha, Nebraska, USA; Marquette Golden Eagles guard Nigel James Jr. (0) drives past Creighton Bluejays guard Nik Graves (5) during the first half at CHI Health Center Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-Imagn Images

Nik Graves scored 17 points and added six rebounds and six assists to lead Creighton to an 84-63 Big East win over Marquette Saturday in Omaha, Neb.

The senior guard was 6-of-7 from the field and made all four of his 3-point attempts for the Bluejays (7-4, 2-0).

Isaac Traudt added 14 for Creighton and Josh Dix added 10. Jasen Green led all rebounders with eight.

Nigel James Jr. led the Golden Eagles (6-8, 0-2) with 23 points, six rebounds, three assists and four steals.

The Bluejays outscored the Golden Eagles 16-5 to start the second half and extend a 46-32 advantage at the break. Green led the run with eight points after not scoring in the first half.

Traudt ended any Marquette hopes with a three-point play off a layup and followed with a 3-pointer for a 68-37 lead with 14:15 to go.

The Bluejays used a 25-2 run midway through the first half to take a 17-point lead.

The Golden Eagles started the game with a 9-2 run, including a 7-0 start in which the Bluejays missed their first three shots and turned the ball over four times.

Dix cut the lead to 15-12 with a 3-pointer with 11:59 left and started the big run.

Graves gave the Bluejays the lead at 16-15 with a paint jumper and, two possessions later, knocked down a 3-pointer to make it 21-15 with 10:06 left.

Graves hit back-to-back 3-pointers and a foul turned the second one into a four-point play and a 34-17 Creighton lead with 8:25 remaining in the first half.

The Golden Eagles only shot 34.4% from the field (22 of 64) and 55.0% from the free throw line (11 of 20).

Creighton reserves outscored their counterparts, 41-20.

--Field Level Media

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