Creighton Dominates 2nd Half Over Nova

 

By Andrew Rosario

 

Like Xavier, the #3 Creighton Bluejays earned the right to have a first-round bye when they faced the #6 Villanova in the last game of the Big East Tournament Thursday night at Madison Square. The Wildcats were coming off their opening round win with 80-60 win over Georgetown. Creighton and Villanova split the two games they played during the regular season.

 

Both teams traded consecutive 3-pointers in the early going, the last by Nova’s guard Caleb Daniels which cut the Bluejays lead to 18-13. With Creighton up 22-13, Villanova strikes with another 3, Caleb hits another 3 cutting the lead to 6 at 22-16. Not to be outdone, Creighton responds with 2 straight 3’s by guards Ryan Nembhard and Francisco Farabello extending the lead to 28-16. Nova added another 3 pointer (28-19) with both teams only scoring 4 more points before the half came to an end with the Bluejays up 32-23. Villanova shot 9-27, 33% missing 8 of 12 3-point attempts. Caleb Daniels leading them with 8 points. Creighton was a little better from the floor shooting 13-30, 43% and connecting on 5 of 13 from downtown. Center Ryan Kalkbrenner led both teams with 10 points.

 

As Villanova struggled to start the second half, Creighton took advantage going up by as many as 19 (49-30) with 14:06 and never looked back in the 87-74 win. Said Bluejays head coach Sean McDermott, “this same team just dominated us a couple of weeks in Philadelphia. Any time we can beat Villanova it’s a great win for our program.”

 

Kalkbrenner led all scorers with 21 with Arthur Kaluma adding 17. Nova’s Eric Dixon scored 20 with Daniels and Brandon Slater scoring 17 each.

 

Creighton will now face Xavier tonight with the winner advancing to the Big East Final game Saturday night.