Creighton had to overcome an early 12-2 deficit, but behind Doug McDermott’s 26 points and 10 rebounds, the Bluejays survive the first round of the MVC Tournament with a 68-61 victory over Drake. It was not an easy victory for Creighton.
Earlier today, Wichita State made a statement with a 72-48 dismantling of Indiana State. The Shockers put on a clinic and has put themselves out there as the team to beat in Arch Madness. Maybe that made Creighton nervous. But that is hard to believe. You wouldn’t think that Creighton would be nervous. After being ranked for the better part of the 2011-12 season and all the attention the Bluejays have received, it is a bit surprising.
Drake jumped out to the early lead and Grant Gibbs was on the bench with two fouls just minutes into the game. After settling down, the Bluejays battled back with a run of their own and tied the game at 16. After that it was a battle back and forth throughout the half. A basket at the buzzer by Antoine Young at the half, the Jays went into the half with a 35-34 lead.
After Drake’s game against Bradley on Thursday night and the Bulldog starters playing a majority of the first half of this game, it would be expected that they would start to get gassed. Luckily for the Bluejays, Drake was a little gassed to start the second half and McDremott took advantage. He scored eight of Creighton’s first ten points of the half behind a couple of three pointers. McDermott was the only one to hit from behind the arc for the Bluejays with four triples while the rest of the team went 1-of-13.
The Bulldogs turned cold from the field and the Bluejays were able to extend their lead by as much as 13 points with 4:33 to go. It looked like Creighton was going to put them away. But a couple missed dunks by Creighton and a final spurt by Drake put the pressure on the Jays. Drake was within three with 1:24 to go, but as this Creighton team has done in the final games of the regular season, they found a way to pull out the win.
Antoine Young was 6-of-8 from the field and 4-of-4 from the free throw line to finish with 16 points. Gregory Echenique chipped in 10 to round out three players in double figures in the victory.
Young was the hero in the first half, but McDermott carried the team on his shoulders in the second half. McDermott went over 700 points for the season in the win and became only the third player in Creighton history to go over 700 points in one season.
The Bluejays advance to the MVC semifinals on Saturday against Missouri State or Evansville at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday. The winner of that semifinal will take on either Wichita State or Illinois State in the MVC Tournament final on Sunday at 1:00 p.m.
Look for more from this game from Max Univers and Paul Liberty in St. Louis including quotes from the post game press conference and photos from WBR photographers Adam Streur and Mike Spomer.
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The Bluejays had a send off at the Hyatt today before the game. Be sure to check out the pictures from the event.