Wednesday, November 25
Las Vegas, Nev.
8:30 PM
Creighton University
4-1
97
vs
76
Massachusetts
4-1
1
2
F
Creighton
37
60
97
Massachusetts
29
47
76
Photo by: Rob Anderson
Men's Basketball Wins Title With Rout of Previously Unbeaten UMass
11/25/2015 10:14:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Groselle has career-highs in points and rebounds to lead the victory
LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- Geoffrey Groselle had career-highs with 20 points and nine rebounds as the Creighton men's basketball team won the 2015 Men Who Speak Up Main Event with a 97-76 rout over previously unbeaten Massachusetts.
Both teams are now 4-1 on the year.
Cole Huff was named the MVP of the event after scoring a combined 38 points in the two wins in his return to the state of Nevada, where he played two seasons in Reno prior to transferring to Creighton.
Creighton started quickly, bolting to a 12-4 lead behind two three-pointers from Maurice Watson Jr. and another from Huff. The Jays lead would reach as large as 35-23 in the final two minutes of the first half before CU settled for a 37-29 halftime edge. Watson had 11 points at the break, while Huff and Groselle each had 10 points. Groselle also tied his career-high in the first half with eight rebounds.
The Bluejays came out firing early in the half and never looked back. After the Minutemen got within 39-32, the Bluejays went on a 9-2 run that included scores from four different players. The lead reached 58-40 on Groselle's finger roll in transition, and 20 for the first time at 64-44 when Hegner swished a three-pointer. CU's largest lead of the day was 27 points on three occasions before settling for the 21-point triumph.
UMass entered the game having made 16 three-pointers in each of its previous two games, but was 3-for-16 from deep against the Bluejay defense. The Minutemen shot 39 percent overall and scored 27 points in 40 free throw attempts. UMass had just four assists on 23 field goals for the evening.
Creighton had five men in double-figures once again, led by 20 from Groselle. Watson Jr. had 16 points and five assists, Huff finished with 12 points, James Milliken 11 and Toby Hegner had 10. CU shot 50.9 percent overall and 42.3 percent from downtown, draining 11-of-26 three-pointers. CU also made 28-of-36 free throws, good for 77.8 percent. CU dished 19 assists, and outscored UMass 11-2 in transition and 37-12 off the bench.
The victory was Creighton's sixth straight in Las Vegas, as CU won the 'title belt' that comes with the championship in the fight capital of the world. The victory also came on head coach Greg McDermott's 51st birthday.
Creighton returns to the court on Saturday at 7:01 pm when it hosts Western Illinois at CenturyLink Center Omaha. The Leathernecks are 5-0 for the first time since 1986-87, including a season-opening win at then-No. 17 Wisconsin.
Both teams are now 4-1 on the year.
Cole Huff was named the MVP of the event after scoring a combined 38 points in the two wins in his return to the state of Nevada, where he played two seasons in Reno prior to transferring to Creighton.
Creighton started quickly, bolting to a 12-4 lead behind two three-pointers from Maurice Watson Jr. and another from Huff. The Jays lead would reach as large as 35-23 in the final two minutes of the first half before CU settled for a 37-29 halftime edge. Watson had 11 points at the break, while Huff and Groselle each had 10 points. Groselle also tied his career-high in the first half with eight rebounds.
The Bluejays came out firing early in the half and never looked back. After the Minutemen got within 39-32, the Bluejays went on a 9-2 run that included scores from four different players. The lead reached 58-40 on Groselle's finger roll in transition, and 20 for the first time at 64-44 when Hegner swished a three-pointer. CU's largest lead of the day was 27 points on three occasions before settling for the 21-point triumph.
UMass entered the game having made 16 three-pointers in each of its previous two games, but was 3-for-16 from deep against the Bluejay defense. The Minutemen shot 39 percent overall and scored 27 points in 40 free throw attempts. UMass had just four assists on 23 field goals for the evening.
Creighton had five men in double-figures once again, led by 20 from Groselle. Watson Jr. had 16 points and five assists, Huff finished with 12 points, James Milliken 11 and Toby Hegner had 10. CU shot 50.9 percent overall and 42.3 percent from downtown, draining 11-of-26 three-pointers. CU also made 28-of-36 free throws, good for 77.8 percent. CU dished 19 assists, and outscored UMass 11-2 in transition and 37-12 off the bench.
The victory was Creighton's sixth straight in Las Vegas, as CU won the 'title belt' that comes with the championship in the fight capital of the world. The victory also came on head coach Greg McDermott's 51st birthday.
Creighton returns to the court on Saturday at 7:01 pm when it hosts Western Illinois at CenturyLink Center Omaha. The Leathernecks are 5-0 for the first time since 1986-87, including a season-opening win at then-No. 17 Wisconsin.
Team Stats
CU
UMASS
FG%
.509
.390
3FG%
.423
.188
FT%
.778
.675
RB
39
41
TO
12
14
STL
4
7
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
20
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
8
Pts
16
FGM
5
3FGM
2
FTM
4
Pts
11
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
3
Players Mentioned
C
/ Men's Basketball
F
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