Diallo with 21 points, Providence beats Creighton 85-71

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Alpha Diallo scored a career-best 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as Providence beat Creighton 85-71 on Saturday.

Diallo was 9 of 15 from the field for the Friars (14-6, 5-2 Big East) who are on a four-game streak. Kyron Cartwright added 20 points and seven assists, Isaiah Jackson had 11 points and nine rebounds and Rodney Bullock chipped in 10 points with six rebounds.

The Friars jumped to an 18-7 start and never trailed on their way to a 36-33 lead at intermission.

Creighton went ahead 39-38 on a 3-point play by Marcus Foster early in the second half but Jaylen Lindsey sank a 3-pointer after that to give the Friars a 41-39 edge with 17:03 to play and they led the rest of the way. The Bluejays (15-5, 5-3) cut it to 69-65 with 4:04 remaining but could not get closer.

Foster led Creighton with 22 points. Khyri Thomas added 15 points and Toby Hegner 11.