Ryan Kalkbrenner, streaking Creighton dump Xavier

Ryan Kalkbrenner amassed 29 points and nine rebounds and Jamiya Neal added 16 points as Creighton extended its winning streak to six games with a 86-77 victory over Xavier on Wednesday at Omaha, Neb.

Ryan Kalkbrenner, streaking Creighton dump Xavier

Ryan Kalkbrenner amassed 29 points and nine rebounds and Jamiya Neal added 16 points as Creighton extended its winning streak to six games with a 86-77 victory over Xavier on Wednesday at Omaha, Neb.

Steven Ashworth produced 15 points with eight assists and Isaac Traudt put up 12 points as Creighton (15-6, 8-2 Big East) kept pace with conference leaders Marquette and St. John’s to remain one game back in the league standings.

Kalkbrenner moved up two spots on the Bluejays’ all-time scoring list and into second place with 2137 points, behind leader Doug McDermott (3,150). The 7-foot-1 center also took part in a program-best 108th victory.

Ryan Conwell scored 20 points Zach Freemantle added 16 as Xavier (13-9, 5-6) was unable to build off a victory Saturday over two-time defending national champion UConn. John Hugley IV finished with a season-high 13 for the Musketeers.

Creighton led by as many as nine points in the second half, holding a 51-42 advantage with 15:02 remaining. Xavier immediately went on a 10-2 run to pull within 53-52 with 13:04 to go after a 3-pointer from Freemantle.

Freemantle committed his fourth foul and went to the bench with 11:27 left. The Musketeers still were able to tie the score 61-61 with 9:48 remaining on a layup from Hugley.

The Bluejays then took over the game from long distance. Neal capped an 8-2 run with consecutive 3-pointers for a 75-67 lead with 5:59 remaining before Traudt made consecutive shots from deep for an 81-71 lead with 4:04 left.

Ashworth sealed the victory on a 3-pointer with 1:14 remaining for an 84-73 advantage. The Bluejays shot 8 of 10 from 3-point range in the second half.

Creighton held a 10-point lead with two minutes remaining in the first half before Xavier closed on a 5-0 run to pull within 40-35 at the break. Kalkbrenner had 13 points in the opening 20 minutes.