Creighton vs Villanova in Big East Final

Dapper Jay Looks For 5^th Big East Title

Photo: Special to the NY Beacon

It was a surprising victory as #4 seed Creighton Bluejays men’s the #1 seed Providence College Friars in a dominating 85-58 victory Friday night at Madison Square Garden for the semifinals of the Big East Men’s Basketball Tournament.

Providence couldn’t make shots and fell behind resulting in a 27 points defeat, the largest loss by the No. 1 seed in the history of the Big East Tournament. Creighton intensified pressure in the first half of the game and never lost the lead.

“This is a really good win for our program, and this is our fourth time in the championship game in the eight or nine years we’ve been in the league,” said Head Creighton Bluejays
Coach Greg McDermott. “And we haven’t been able to quite kick that door down. Hopefully tomorrow that’s the time to do that.”

 

 

 

Both teams had a lead at the start of the first quarter. A jump shot by Providence’s A.J Reeves tied the score at 25. Two points by Creighton’s Arthur Kaluma’s gave the Bluejays the lead and they never looked back.

The Jays were ahead 42 to 27 at halftime and led in field goals (51.7%), 3-point shots (50%), and free throws (85.7%). The Friars made 27.8% of their field goals, 16.7% of 3-point shots, and 62.5% of free throws by halftime.

Providence improved in scoring with 31 points in the second half of the game verses 27 points in the first half. Creighton scored 43 points in the second half of the game and 42 points in the first half of the game.

Providence Aljami Durham scored a game-high 21 points with nine rebounds as he just missed his fifth double-double of the season. Alex O’Connell led the Jays with 18 points.

“But kind of like Coach said, I haven’t been shooting the ball too well in the last few games, but I stayed confident,” said O’Connell. “Credit to my teammates for finding me in the open spots. And my shot fell, and it feels good when your shot falls and it builds confidence for the rest of the game for the rest of the guys.

Creighton takes on the Villanova Wildcats men’s basketball team in the finals Big East Men’s Basketball Tournament tonight. 

 

Villanova defeated the Connecticut Huskies in a close match Friday night 63-60. Creighton is looking for their first Big East trophy while Villanova is seeking their 5^th title.