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Boise State cuts down No. 11 Creighton

Nov 29, 2012 - 7:12 AM Omaha, NE (Sports Network) - Derrick Marks scored a career-high 35 points as Boise State toppled No. 11 Creighton, 83-70, in the first-ever meeting between the programs.

Anthony Drmic posted 17 points and Jeff Elorriaga added 12 for the Broncos (5-1), who have won two in a row since their lone loss at Michigan State thanks to 60 percent shooting.

"We don't want to be defined by the win in November," Boise State head coach Leon Rice said. "Hey, it was a great win against the 11th-ranked team in the country and a tough place to play, and they played their tails off and I'm so proud of them. But we have to get a lot better to compete in our league."

Doug McDermott totaled 21 points and Grant Gibbs had 17 for the Bluejays (6-1), who were bidding to win seven in a row to start the season for the second year in a row.

"Congrats to Boise State," Bluejays coach Greg McDermott said. "We didn't play poorly offensively. We just had no answer for them on the defensive end of the floor. I thought they outhustled us, I thought they communicated better than we did. If you're watching that game tonight, it was obvious who the better team was tonight, and it wasn't us."

A triple by Josh Jones pulled Creighton within 45-39 early in the second half, but Boise State countered with an 11-5 run to take control for good. Kenny Buckner hit a jumper and later added two free throws, then Marks ended the surge with consecutive buckets for a 56-44 game with 11:42 remaining.

The hosts could only pull within five points from there. Drmic drained a three with just under five minutes left to make it 73-59 for the visitors and they cruised the rest of the way.

BSU led 14-9 just over four minutes in after consecutive triples from Marks and Elorriaga, but five in a row from the hosts tied the score. Igor Hadziomerovic untied it with a trey and Boise State never trailed for the remainder of the first half.

The Broncos' lead grew as large as 11 points, 39-28, after two free throws from Drmic with 3:10 to play, but was reduced to 39-33 at the break as Avery Dingman connected from long distance and Gibbs added a layup.

Game Notes

Creighton had won 93 straight home games when scoring 70 or more points (since Feb. 5, 2005), had owned 42 straight November home wins (since Nov. 27, 1989), and had won 41 straight regular-season home games vs. unranked non-conference teams (since Feb. 17, 2007)... Boise State improved to 6-34 all-time against ranked foes, including a 2-18 road mark ... Creighton also started the 2004-05 season with seven wins in succession ... McDermott turned the ball over a game-high five times ... Buckner led all players with nine rebounds ... Gibbs and Austin Chatman posted a game-best five assists apiece for the Bluejays.