The annual showdown between Nebraska and Creighton again produced a close finish and plenty of chewed fingernails as Nebraska (6-2) overcame an 11-point first-half deficit to topple interstate rival Creighton 59-54 in Lincoln.

The Cornhuskers trailed 29-21 at halftime, but came alive in the second half, led by guard Brandon Richardson who scored 18 points on 6-of-12 shooting. Nebraska (6-2) took a 47-41 lead with 10 minutes left in the game before the Bluejays battled back.

Creighton (4-4) closed the gap to 55-54 with less than two minutes remaining on a three-point play by preseason Missouri Valley Conference play of the year Kenny Lawson Jr. But the Bluejays failed to convert several chances with less than a minute remaining to take the lead. Sunday’s win was just the fifth for Nebraska over Creighton in the teams’ last 15 meetings.

Guard Lance Jeter added 12 points, including two important free throws with 26 seconds left for Nebraska. Creighton’s Doug McDermott had 10 points to lead the Bluejays.