Boxscore (PDF)

OMAHA (March 19, 2019)
 
In Short
Aher Uguak scored a game-high 18 points and Cameron Krutwig added 17 points, but seventh-seeded Loyola University Chicago's (20-14) second-half rally fell just short in a 70-61 setback at No. 2 seed Creighton (19-14) in a National Invitation Tournament (NIT) first round game at CHI Health Center Omaha tonight. The Ramblers were making their second straight postseason appearance, one year after reaching the NCAA Final Four. 
 
Coach Moser's Thoughts
"Give credit to Creighton. They are a great passing and shooting team. This is a very tough loss. We have two seniors (Clayton Custer and Marques Townes) that mean a lot to me personally and to this team and university."
 
How It Happened
Creighton, which got 13 first-half points from Martin Krampelj, strung together run of 10 unanswered points early, turning a one-point advantage into a 22-11 lead. The Ramblers didn't wilt however, and answered back immediately with an 11-0 spurt of their own that featured three-pointers from Clayton Custer and two from Bruno Skokna, the latter of which drew Loyola even at 22-22 with 7:18 left to play in the period.
 
The Bluejays reclaimed the lead for the remainder of the half on a Davion Mintz jumper with a little over five minutes left and were able to push their advantage to 36-31 at the half. 
 
For the majority of the second half, Creighton led by no fewer than eight points until a three from Krampelj gave the Bluejays their largest lead of the night to that point, at 58-47, with six minutes remaining. Loyola wouldn't go down without a fight and back-to-back baskets from Krutwig and Aher Uguak sliced the deficit to 58-51.
 
The Ramblers crept even closer, getting within 63-57 with a minute remaining, but a Ty-Shon Alexander lay-up all but sealed the outcome.
 
A Look At The Numbers

• Uguak scored 18 points to lead the Ramblers, hitting 9 of 11 shots from the field, in only 18 minutes of play.
• Krutwig closed out a remarkable sophomore campaign with 17 points, four rebounds, five assists and three blocks.
• Clayton Custer contributed nine points and four assists and Marques Townes added eight assists in their final appearance in a Loyola uniform.
• Loyola totaled 20 assists on 26 field goals.
• Krampelj led Creighton with 17 points and eight boards.

 
Up Next
Loyola's season comes to a close following a second-straight 20-win campaign. The Ramblers return First Team All-Missouri Valley Conference pick Cameron Krutwig, along with fellow starters Lucas Williamson and Aher Uguak.