INDIANAPOLIS (Interstat) — A dominant second-half defensive performance and a masterful floor game from point guard Nik Graves propelled the Creighton Bluejays to a 76-59 victory over the Butler Bulldogs in a Big East Conference men’s basketball game Wednesday night at a subdued Hinkle Fieldhouse.

The game, witnessed by 6,895 fans, pivoted decisively after halftime. Butler, which led 36-32 at the break, saw its offense evaporate against a swarming Creighton defense. The Bulldogs managed only 23 points in the second half, shooting a frigid 4 for 24 from three-point range for the game. Creighton, meanwhile, shook off a sluggish first half to score 44 points after intermission, fueled by a 13-2 advantage in steals that led to numerous transition opportunities.

The most critical stretch of the game began early in the second half and effectively decided the contest. Trailing by four, Creighton unleashed a 17-0 run over a five-minute span that transformed a deficit into a commanding lead. The surge was characterized by the defensive intensity that would define the half. Isaac Traudt hit a three-pointer, Josh Dix converted a driving layup, and Graves, the catalyst, drew fouls and knocked down free throws. The run was capped by a Dix three-pointer off an assist from Jasen Green, giving Creighton a 49-36 lead with 16:51 to play. Butler went scoreless for over five minutes, missing five shots and committing three turnovers during the Bluejays’ game-defining burst.

Butler never recovered. Every attempt to mount a comeback was stymied by Creighton’s active hands in the passing lanes and poor shooting from the perimeter. The Bulldogs finished with 15 turnovers against just six assists, a stark ratio that underscored their offensive struggles. Creighton scored 76 points on 72 possessions for an offensive rating of 105.9, while Butler’s 59 points on 73 possessions resulted in a meager 81.0 offensive rating.

Graves, a 6-foot-2 guard from Durham, North Carolina, orchestrated the victory with precision. In 35 minutes, he scored 14 points and dished out 13 assists against only two turnovers, consistently breaking down the Butler defense and finding open teammates. He was perfect on six free throw attempts. His backcourt partner, Josh Dix of Council Bluffs, Iowa, provided the scoring punch with a game-high 22 points on efficient shooting.

Creighton’s frontcourt also made significant contributions. Jasen Green of Omaha, Nebraska, scored 13 points and was a constant presence on the glass, while Isaac Traudt of Grand Island, Nebraska, added nine points, including two key three-pointers during the decisive run. Austin Swartz came off the bench to score 12 points for the Bluejays, who shot 10 for 10 from the free throw line as a team.

Butler was led by Michael Ajayi, who battled for 26 points on 11-of-24 shooting. The 6-foot-7 forward from Kent, Washington, also grabbed a game-high 10 defensive rebounds. However, he received little consistent support. Finley Bizjack was the only other Bulldog in double figures with 10 points, and the team’s backcourt combined for more turnovers than assists.

The win improved Creighton’s season record to 15-16 overall and provided a measure of relief after three consecutive close losses. Butler, which had won the first meeting between the teams 89-85 in Omaha on Dec. 30, fell to 15-15. The Bulldogs had been installed as a 2.5-point pregame favorite, but the total score of 135 fell well under the over/under line of 155.5, a testament to Creighton’s second-half defensive lockdown.

Creighton’s ability to force Butler into contested, low-percentage shots while capitalizing on mistakes with sharp ball movement and unselfish play was the story of the game. The Bluejays finished with 13 assists on 28 made field goals and committed only eight turnovers, showcasing the disciplined, connected performance required to win on the road in conference play. Butler, which entered the game with a projected 53% probability to win according to Interstat’s ELO system, now looks to regroup on the road at DePaul on Saturday. Creighton’s schedule continues with its next conference matchup.