It was an emotional day on and off the court for Creighton basketball. The Bluejay men fought through the emotion and led from end-to-end in their victory over Xavier 77-66 in the annual Creighton vs. Cancer game to support the fight against cancer.
The Bluejays swept the season series from Xavier for the first time since they both joined the Big East. The Bluejays started the game with some defense that kept Xavier from finding the shooters they needed and got out to a 13-3 lead just minutes into the game. The first half continued on with Creighton taking every mistake by Xavier and turning it into a gut-punch to the Musketeers. The first half was highlighted with Creighton getting two different shots midway through the first half and grabbing a couple extra offensive rebounds that led to Kelvin Jones firing out a pass from underneath the Bluejays own hoop out to Mitch Ballock who was just past half court on the Bluejay log. In rhythm, Ballock launched a shot and drained it from abut 30-35 feet. That was the way it would go for the Bluejays.
Xavier cut the lead to 8 on a last second shot in the first half. Xavier also took the first swipe at the second half as the Bluejays came up empty in the first couple of possessions. However, Alexander, Ballock, Denzel Mahoney, and others all made sure Xavier would not get back into the game. The Jays were up 17 points with 7:33 to go. The Musketeers cut it to 65-59 with 4:42 to go. But then Mahoney drew a foul to hit two free throws and then hit another shot in the lane before Ballock dropped another three-pointer to go back up 11. Alexander then essentially sealed it with a 3-pointer of his own to answer any sort of Xavier comeback.
Not only was the game on the court won by the Bluejays, but it was also won off the court in the annual Pinkout game to support the fight against cancer. Bluejay fans donned on the pink to show their support and everyone in the arena honored those affected by this disease.
WBR photographers Brad Williams and Ken Juszyk were there to capture the emotional day. See their galleries below and then visit their sections of the WBR Photo Store to order your favorite prints.