Swartz scores 18 points, Harmon hits key free throw and Creighton edges Iowa 70-69

DES MOINES, Iowa -- — Austin Swartz scored 18 points, Katrelle Harmon made the go-ahead free throw in the final minute, and Creighton defeated Iowa 70-69 on Sunday.

The Hawkeyes trailed by 12 points at halftime then scored 17 of the first 21 points in the second half. They took their first lead of the game, 47-46, with about 12 minutes remaining. The one-point margin would be their largest until Kael Combs hit two free throws for a 62-60 lead with 6 1/2 minutes left.

The Bluejays went back ahead and held a slim lead until Combs’ fastbreak layup tied it at 69 with 1:35 remaining. Both teams failed to score on their next possession, then with 27 seconds remaining Harmon made a free throw for the 70-69 lead. Iowa had a chance to win it but Peyton McCollum missed a 3-pointer with 1 second left on the clock.

Trevin Jurak, who went 10 for 10 on free throws, led Iowa (2-2) with 22 points in 21 minutes off the bench before he fouled out. Cooper Koch had 16 points and 10 rebounds, and Isaia Howard also grabbed 10 rebounds.

Swartz was the only player in double-digit scoring for the Bluejays (3-1).

Iowa missed 7 of 9 3-pointers in the first nine minutes and Creighton took advantage, building an early 19-8 lead. Iowa finally got untracked and a 14-3 run helped the Hawkeyes tie it at 22 with about 7 1/2 minutes to go before halftime.

Swartz, BJ Davis and Jackson McAndrew then scored the final 20 points of the half for the Bluejays and they led 42-30 at the break.

Iowa led for a total of 49 seconds.

Up next

Creighton: vs. Bethune-Cookman on Wednesday.

Iowa: at Xavier on Friday. -------- Sign up for Top 25 poll alerts here, visit the Top 25 here and see AP’s full men’s basketball coverage here