Creighton Downs Akron In NIT; Face Miami Next
3/16/2006 7:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Box Score
OMAHA, Neb. -- Pierce Hibma had a career-high 14 points, including four first-half three-pointers, as Creighton beat Akron 71-60 in first round action of the National Invitation Tournament. Winning its first NIT game since 1942, the Bluejays advance to host Miami (Fla.) on Monday at a time to be determined.
Any fears of rust were put to rest early, as Hibma drained a pair of three-pointers to give Creighton a 6-0 lead in the first 75 seconds. The Zips wouldn't make a field goal until a Romeo Travis dunk made it 10-4 with 15:46 left in the first half.
Akron would slowly fight back to within 18-15 with 11:51 left in the first half before CU unleashed a 9-0 spurt. Anthony Tolliver had five of his team-high 18 points as Creighton opened up a 12-point lead.
CU would get another boost with an 8-2 run to close the first half. Hibma had six of those points on a pair of trifectas, while Johnny Mathies hit a driving lay-up with 1.4 seconds left to give CU its largest lead of the half at 40-26.
Creighton's lead reached as large as 18 on two occasions before the Zips used an 11-2 run to close within nine with 3:33 to go. Nick Porter iced the game at the free throw line for the Jays, making 9-of-10 free throws in the final 91 seconds.
Akron, which closes its most successful Division I season ever with a 23-10 record, was led by 25 points and 15 rebounds from Travis. Also in double-figures was Nick Dials with 11 points off the bench. Akron shot 35.5 percent from the field, and 29 percent from three-point range while launching half of its 62 shots from beyond the arc.
Tolliver led Creighton with 18 points while Porter had 15, Hibma had 14 and Mathies tallied 11. Dane Watts led the Bluejays with 10 rebounds. CU shot 45.5 percent for the game and made nine baskets from three-point territory.
With the win, Creighton will host Miami (Fla.) on Monday in second round action of the NIT. Gametime and possible television coverage will be determined on Friday.
NOTES: Creighton's last win in the NIT came in 1942 ...Creighton reached the 20-win plateau for the eighth straight season, extending its MVC record ...Creighton's crowd of 10,197 was the highest of the 19 games played so far in the NIT this year ...Creighton had four players in double-figures for the first time since Feb. 14 at Wichita State.
