Late 19-0 run lifts Kent State

KENT, Ohio (AP) -- Jason Edwin scored 25 points to lead Kent State to its 10th consecutive victory, 70-55 over Creighton on Saturday, and both teams tried to impress NCAA tournament officials who'll choose at-large squads.

Scott Cutley scored eight of his nine points in a 19-0 Kent State run that gave the Golden Flashes a 60-42 lead with 9:12 to play.

Kent State (20-3) became the first Mid-American Conference school to win 20 games in six consecutive seasons.

The marquee matchup against Creighton (19-5) was one of 10 "Bracket Buster" games nationwide featuring top teams from 11 mid-major conferences in head-to-head play.

Creighton, which opened the season with 12 straight victories, has lost three of five since Feb. 7. The Bluejays are now under more pressure to win the Missouri Valley Conference tournament and secure a postseason berth. Southern Illinois has already clinched the regular-season title.

Mike Grimes led Creighton with 13 points, including four in a 10-2 run that brought the Bluejays within 62-42 with 3:30 to play.

John Edwards converted a three-point play to start Kent State's decisive run. The 7-foot center entered the game leading the team at 13.6 points a game, but went 1-for-5 from the field before slamming home a shot and adding a free throw for a 44-42 lead -- the 15th and final lead change.

Cutley hit a layup and another free throw in the run that included 3-pointers from Edwin, Eric Haut and DeAndre Haynes. Haut finished with 18 points

Edwin had 13 points before halftime, hitting all three of his 3-point shots.

Until the spurt, the teams were remarkably even, with a 32-32 tie at the half. Since the 1998-99 season, Kent State is 142-43 and Creighton 140-42.