Creighton gets past Fairfield

Kenny Lawson Jr. and Justin Carter combined for 33 points and 18 rebounds as Creighton advanced to the semifinals of the CIT with a 73-55 win over Fairfield on Monday night at the Omaha Civic Auditorium.
Creighton led most of the first half behind strong play from its starting five to take a 32-25 lead into the break. The starters scored 30 of Creighton’s 32 first half points, including 10 points from Kenny Lawson Jr. and eight points and three steals by Josh Jones.
After Creighton scored to open the second half and go ahead 34-25, Fairfield answered with the next eight points in 73 seconds to prompt a Bluejay timeout. Derek Needham, held to 2-of-8 shooting in the first half, hit two, three-pointers. A free throw tied the score at 34 with 15:36 left. The Stags took their only lead of the second half at 38-37 on a lay-up in transition by Needham, but Creighton scored the next eight points and didn’t trail again. That run included a free throw from Carter, a trey from Antoine Young and two scores from Darryl Ashford.
Creighton shot 24-for-56 (42.9 percent) from the field, 7-for-15 (46.7 percent) from three-point range and 18-of-21 (85.7 percent) at the free throw line. Fairfield shot 20-for-60 (33.3 percent) from the field, 3-for-14 (21.4 percent) from downtown and 12-of-15 (80 percent) at the free throw line.
Creighton next plays at Missouri State on Wednesday at 7 pm. The teams split in the regular-season, with Creighton winning 76-72 on Jan. 24 in Omaha and Missouri State winning 70-52 on Feb. 6 in Springfield.
Jim Palmer’s post game report.
Creighton postgame wrap
Head Coach Dana Altman’s press conference.
Dana Altman audio