OMAHA, Neb. -- Grant Gibbs and Will Artino scored 13 points apiece, and Creighton broke open a close game in the middle of the second half to defeat Southern Illinois 59-45 on Tuesday night.

The Bluejays (22-6, 11-5) remained a game behind Missouri Valley Conference leader Wichita State. The last-place Salukis (11-16, 4-12) matched their school record for consecutive conference road losses with their 15th in a row since January 2012.

Doug McDermott had 10 points and seven rebounds for Creighton, which has won 73 straight at home against opponents with winning percentages of .500 or worse.

Jeff Early scored 12 points and Anthony Beane added 10 for the Salukis, who shot 35 percent but stayed close by converting Creighton's 15 turnovers into 15 points and outscoring the Bluejays 13-4 on second-chance baskets.