Freshman forward Henry Ellenson collected his 16th double-double of the season, scoring 22 points and pulling down 16 rebounds to lead the Marquette Golden Eagles to a 66-61 win over the Creighton Blue Jays in Omaha, Nebraska on Wednesday night.
Marquette let a 15-point lead slip away, then buckled down defensively and got a big basket and pair of free throws from Ellenson to hang on for the win.
Marquette (18-10, 7-8 Big East) let a lead slip away against Creighton less than two weeks ago in Milwaukee and fell to the Blue Jays. This time they held on for the win.
Marquette forced 14 turnovers, including seven by Blue Jays guard Maurice Watson Jr.
Creighton missed all nine of its first-half three-point attempts before finishing 3 for 21 beyond the arc.
Marquette won despite a short bench. Freshman center Matt Heldt was out with a left knee sprain and sophomore guard Sandy Kohen III was benched for disciplinary reasons.
Marquette returns home to face top-ranked Villanova on Saturday. The Wildcats lost to Xavier on Wednesday night.