Creighton turns back Western Illinois 78-67
OMAHA, Neb. -- Martin Krampelj and Mitch Ballock scored 13 points apiece and Creighton turned back Western Illinois 78-67 in the season opener for both teams on Tuesday night.
There were six ties and eight lead changes in the first half before Ballock hit a 35-foot buzzer beating 3-poiner to put the Bluejays on top 43-41 at the break.
An 8-0 surge early in the second half, featuring 3-pointers from Ty-Shon Alexander and Samson Froling, put Creighton up 57-47. The Leathernecks never got closer than eight after that.
Creighton ended up at 46 percent, making 11 of 23 3-pointers.
Kobe Webster had 24 points and 10 rebounds for Western Illinois, which shot 36 percent, making just 9 of 29 from distance. Isaac Johnson added 19 points and nine rebounds. The Leathernecks were 8 of 9 from the foul line, where the Bluejays were 9 of 20.
Game Information
- Referees:
- Tim Clougherty
- Tony Chiazza
- Tommy Morrissey
2024-25 Ohio Valley Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morehead State | 7-1 | - | 12-7 |
| Little Rock | 5-2 | 1.5 | 11-7 |
| SIU Edwardsville | 5-3 | 2 | 12-7 |
| Southeast Missouri State | 5-3 | 2 | 10-9 |
| UT Martin | 5-4 | 2.5 | 9-11 |
| Tennessee Tech | 4-4 | 3 | 9-10 |
| Tennessee State | 4-5 | 3.5 | 8-12 |
| Southern Indiana | 3-5 | 4 | 8-10 |
| Lindenwood | 3-5 | 4 | 8-11 |
| Western Illinois | 2-6 | 5 | 8-11 |
| Eastern Illinois | 1-6 | 5.5 | 5-13 |
2024-25 Big East Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. John's | 8-1 | - | 17-3 |
| Marquette | 7-1 | 0.5 | 16-3 |
| UConn | 6-2 | 1.5 | 14-5 |
| Creighton | 6-2 | 1.5 | 13-6 |
| Villanova | 5-4 | 3 | 12-8 |
| Georgetown | 4-4 | 3.5 | 13-6 |
| Xavier | 4-5 | 4 | 12-8 |
| Providence | 3-5 | 4.5 | 9-10 |
| Butler | 1-7 | 6.5 | 8-11 |
| Seton Hall | 1-7 | 6.5 | 6-13 |
| DePaul | 1-8 | 7 | 10-10 |
Men's College Basketball News