LINCOLN, Neb. — The Creighton men’s basketball team extended its era of dominance over intrastate rival Nebraska, taking the 10th game in the last 11 meetings, with a 77-69 win on Tuesday, November 16 at soldout Pinnacle Bank Arena.
The victory pushed Creighton to 3-0 on the season, while the Huskers fell to 1-2.
With Creighton holding a 68-62 lead with 3:40 remaining in the game, Bluejay senior Ryan Hawkins sent the fans heading for the exits with a pair of three-pointers, pushing Creighton’s lead out to 74-62 with 1:29 left. The difference in the second half was three-point shooting as Creighton went 6-of-12 (50.0%) in the final 20 minutes, while Nebraska was 2-for-11 (18.2%)
Down 5-1 in the opening moments, the Bluejays turned the early deficit around quickly with a 13-0 run. Senior Alex O’Connell fueled the Bluejay surge with nine of his 15 points, including a pair of treys, to give Creighton a 14-5 advantage with 15:09 remaining. Up 16-10 moments later the Bluejays delivered another bakers dozen to extend the lead to 29-10 (9:20). Freshman Ryan Nembhard provided the spark this time with a traditional three-point play, followed by a pair from long range. O’Connell and returning junior Shereef Mitchell capped the Bluejays’ run with mid-range jumpers.
Creighton held a 33-15 edge with 8:01 remaining in the opening stanza, but the final eight minutes belonged to the Huskers as Nebraska pulled within one at 37-36 before three free-throws by Nembhard in the final minute sent CU to the locker room at the half with a 40-36 lead.
The two teams traded layups early in the second half, but Nebraska got the better of the exchange to melt the Creighton lead to one at 44-43 with 16:25 to play. The Bluejays began to find their range trifectas from freshman Trey Alexander, Nembhard and Hawkins pushed the Bluejays advantage out to 55-47 with 10:49 remaining.
The rivals traded body blows over the next seven minutes, yet Creighton held a 68-62 lead heading into the final four minutes.
Nembhard led all scorers with 22 points, while Hawkins delivered his second double-double in three games at 15 points and 10 rebounds. O’Connell and sophomore Ryan Kalkbrenner rounded out the Bluejays in double-figures with 13 and 12 points respectively.
The Bluejays take flight toward the U.S. Virgin Islands as Creighton takes part in the Paradise Jam. The Bluejays first round opponent is Brown on Friday, November 19, with tip off set for 2:15 pm (CT).
