Creighton pulls away in 2nd half to beat Rutgers 85-75

LAS VEGAS (AP) Cole Huff scored 26 points, and Creighton broke open a close game with 13 consecutive points in the second half to beat Rutgers 85-75 Monday night in the Main Event tournament at the MGM Grand.

Huff, who sat out last season after transferring from Nevada, made 10 of 19 shots and had seven rebounds for the Bluejays.

Creighton plays UMass for the title on Wednesday night.

Creighton overcame a 43-40 halftime deficit with a 14-3 run to open the second half. Rutgers closed to 65-62 on two free throws and a driving layup from Deshawn Freeman. But back-to-back 3-pointers from Huff and Isaiah Zierden put the Bluejays in front by nine.

After Huff and James Milliken each made two free throws, Creighton was in front 78-62.

Maurice Watson Jr. had 13 points and 10 rebounds for Creighton (3-1). Milliken added 10 off the bench.

Corey Sanders led Rutgers (3-2) with 21 points. Bishop Daniels had 15 and Freeman finished with 14.

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TIP-INS

Rutgers: Corey Sanders, a freshman from Lakeland, Fla., sat out his team's opener after playing in a non-sanctioned event last summer. He has scored in double figures in three of the four games he's played.

Creighton: The Bluejays' transition game has been their staple this season. They had 30 fast-break points against Texas Southern earlier this month and 24 against Texas-San Antonio last week, but stalled against Rutgers, totaling just two off the break.

STAT LINES

Rutgers' Mike Williams made just 1 of 5 attempts from 3-point distance after hitting on 5 of 8 Saturday against Central Arkansas.

UP NEXT

Creighton plays UMass on Wednesday night in the Main Event championship game.

Rutgers plays Clemson on Wednesday.