Credit Doug McDermott for being resilient. From the onset Saturday night, it was evident that Creighton’s All-American wasn’t going to get a clean look at anything on offense without a number of Saint Joseph’s Hawks pestering him at every catch and turn.
Saint Joe’s opened a 10-point lead during the first five minutes of the game, during which McDermott committed a turnover and missed his first two shots from the field. It was tough to get Creighton’s star into a groove. Still, but the end of the night, McDermott would notch another memorable performance in a career full of them.
Meanwhile, the Hawks were feeling it. Saint Joseph’s hit four three-pointers while opening that 10-point lead. Thanks to that early success and the Bluejays continually sagging off Saint Joe’s shooters, it seemed the Hawks would be content to shoot three-pointer after three-pointer in an attempt to knock of a team that tends to do the same thing. The Hawks hoisted 31 triples in Hagan Arena Saturday night after attempting 28 threes in a loss to Creighton in Omaha last December. Starting guard Chris Wilson led the Hawks with six made triples, as the team made 14 for the game to continually send the Bluejays scrambling to answer long-range makes.
Good thing the Bluejays brought their #WRAGGEBOMBS. With McDermott struggling to get good looks and the Hawks making open shots from long range, Creighton needed a spark off the bench. Senior forward Ethan Wragge stepped in and started doing what he does best — shooting from deep. In a three-minute span of game time in the first half, Wragge made four of five three-point attempts. Frankly his shooting kept Creighton in the game; despite his flurry of triples, Wragge watched as Saint Joseph’s kept responding with their own offensive production to keep the Jays at bay. Wragge ended the first half with a team-high 12 points, and his deft shooting touch helped stem the tide for the Bluejays while McDermott (8 first-half points) wiggled his way free.
So much of Saturday’s game reminded me of my trip to San Diego State two years ago. That was an instant classic, too, as Creighton stormed back from a double-digit deficit in a hostile environment to win on a late bucket. I didn’t make it to Philadelphia this weekend, but I was glad to see Creighton Sports Information Director Rob Anderson confirm my suspicions:
Saturday night, Creighton and Saint Joe’s experienced five lead changes and four ties in the final 20 minutes. The Hawks would lead by as many as 13 in the first half, while the Jays would flip the script and build an 8-point lead with just under 8 minutes to play in the first half. That’s a 21-point swing in favor of the Bluejays, thanks in large part to a cooled shooting touch by numerous Hawks and contributions by Wragge and Devin Brooks off the CU bench.
Wragge (21 points, 7-11 3FG) would hit three more triples in the second half, giving him seven for the game. It had me reminiscing about Booker Woodfox’s performance in December 2008, when he hit seven three-pointers en route to 29 points in a Creighton win over Saint Joseph’s at the Palestra.
Meanwhile, Brooks (16 points, 6-13 FG) gave the Jays a change of pace in the backcourt that proved productive. He repeatedly created his own shot and opportunities for others. Sure, there were a few questionable decisions — a quick three-point attempt late in the second half comes immediately to mind — but the junior college transfer changed the tone of Creighton’s offense for the better.
Doug McDermott’s game-winner sent the Bluejays to a 3-0 start (WBR/Mike Spomer) CLICK TO BUY PHOTO
At the end of the night, McDermott made it happen. Thanks to subs Wragge and Brooks and steady play by Grant Gibbs, the Bluejays were able to keep Saint Joe’s at an arm’s length for most of the second half. McDermott continued to fight through a challenging evening, and eventually converted a hoop with just over four minutes to play that helped the Jays regain a 7-point lead. A 12-4 run by the Hawks would erase that margin, though, and leave the Jays trailing 79-78 with less than 30 seconds left.
The Bluejays stayed calm. They cleared everything out for Brooks, who made a nice drive to the left of the hoop but saw his layup attempt blocked by DeAndre Bembry. The Hawks challenged every inbounds pass but Gibbs and the Jays were able to stay the course and eventually get the ball in the hands of their All-American. McDermott drilled the game-winner while also being fouled (video), and the senior collected himself and hit the ensuing free throw to give Creighton a two-point lead with less than five seconds to play. Here’s what a Hawks fan thought of that play:
Holy $&!+ is right. McDermott saw constant attention and physical defense from various Hawks all night. But he stayed the course and once again proved just how versatile an offensive threat he is. The shot he hit was ridiculous; a quick-catch, fading jumper from just inside the arc during which he drew more than just a bit of contact from the defender. Definitely one for the highlight reel.
Saint Joseph’s still had a chance to tie or win the game, but the Hawks weren’t able to execute a heave to half court. Brooks intercepted the pass, drew a foul, and hit two free throws to give Creighton the winning four-point margin.