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Creighton downs Southern Illinois

Jan 16, 2012 - 7:12 AM Omaha, NE (Sports Network) - Doug McDermott had 25 points and 11 rebounds, leading No. 23 Creighton to a 90-71 win over Southern Illinois on Sunday.

Antoine Young added 14 points and Grant Gibbs had 10 for the Bluejays (16-2, 6-1 MVC), winners of six straight.

"We know we have a target on our back every single night," said McDermott. "I think that helps us in some ways."

T.J. Lindsay scored a team-high 13 points for the Salukis (6-12, 3-4), who were coming off Friday's win over Indiana State. Jeff Early chipped in 11 points, while Mamadou Seck finished with 10 and eight boards.

Southern Illinois entered Sunday allowing 65.6 points per game, but Creighton flourished on the offensive end from the opening tip. McDermott had 14 points, eight boards and an assist by the half. The Bluejays took a comfortable 48-36 lead into the break on 52.2 percent shooting, including a 4-of-9 clip from beyond the arc.

The second half proved no different, as Creighton continued to roll. With five minutes left, Young finished a layup for a 79-63 lead -- the Bluejays' largest to that point. They were not tested in the closing minutes.

In all, Creighton shot 55.1 percent and hit 8-of-18 three-pointers, compared to 41.2 percent shooting and a 4-of-14 performance from beyond the arc for the Salukis.

Game Notes

Creighton has won eight straight over Southern Illinois and leads the all-time series, 50-36...McDermott entered Sunday as the MVC's leading scorer at 24.4 points per game...Seck came in under his season average of 13.6 points per game.