Tuesday, November 21
Kansas City, Mo.
9:00 PM
Creighton University
4-1
59
vs
65
Baylor
5-0
1
2
F
#22 Baylor
24
41
65
Creighton
33
26
59
Martin Krampelj
Photo by: Joe Willman
#22 Baylor Comeback Trips Up Men's Hoops For Hall of Fame Classic Title
11/21/2017 10:57:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Jays go cold from the field to snap four-game win streak.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A cold shooting night from the Creighton men's basketball team was too much to overcome as No. 22 Baylor edged the Bluejays, 65-59, for the 2017 Hall of Fame Classic title.
Creighton fell to 4-1, while Baylor is 5-0.
Creighton came in averaging nearly 98 points per game, but shot just 34.4 percent from the field (22-64) and 16.7 percent (5-30) from the three-point line.
Baylor scored the game's first five points before CU settled in and rattled off the next eight points on baskets by four different starters. The run would become a 16-4 burst as Creighton took a seven-point lead after nine minutes, hounding the Bears into 4-for-13 shooting early on. CU pushed the margin into double-figures for the first time on a three-point play by Khyri Thomas, making it 25-15. Creighton would lead by as much as 12 (31-19) in the first half and finished with a 33-24 lead at the break.
Thomas had 10 points in the first half and held Big 12 scoring leader Manu Lecomte to two points on 1-of-2 shooting. The Bluejays led the rebound battle 19-16 and forced Baylor into 11 turnovers.
Creighton would miss nine straight shots as Baylor embarked on a 10-0 run to draw within two at 40-38 with 11:38 to go before Ty-Shon Alexander's driving lay-up snapped the drought. A three-point play by King McClure with 4:07 left tied the score at 50-all. McClure's drive then gave Baylor a 52-50 lead with 3:33 remaining, its first lead since 5-4 in the opening minutes.
Terry Maston would drain a big three-pointer with 2:01 left to give Baylor the lead. Foster would answer with a floater to trim the lead to one, but Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. answered with a bucket and the Bears would ice the game at the foul line.
Marcus Foster and Khyri Thomas were named to the All-Tournament Team for Creighton. Baylor's Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. was named MVP after 15 points and 15 bounds in the final.
Thomas led Creighton with 15 points, with Foster adding 12. Also in double-figures were Krampelj (11) and Alexander (10).
McClure topped BU with 19 points and Maston added 15 points and eight rebounds off the bench.
Creighton returns home on Saturday at 3:30 pm to host SIU Edwardsville in a game that will air on 1620 AM and FS2.
Baylor-Creighton Postgame Quotes
Creighton
Greg McDermott
Opening Statement:
"First of all, congrats to Baylor. They made it a rock fight for 36-37 minutes. We won the rock fight, we just couldn't finish it. As I told the team, over the course of a season, you're going to play great a third of the time, you're going to play ok a third of the time and you're going have third of the games where something's not cooking. We shoot 5-of-30 from three. We have our two best players go 3-of-19. If you would have told me that going in, I would have said we are going to get beat by 25, but we didn't get beat by 25, because of the other things we did well. We competed on the glass, we executed a defensive game plan without any prep time. With a walk-through and a film session. Khyri [Thomas] did an unbelievable job on their best player, frustrating him. They have a hug advantage inside. They exploited that, there is not a whole lot we can do about that. It wasn't because a lack of effort. They get seven offensive rebounds, we get 12. We had some opportunities to make baskets and we didn't do it.
On shooting:
"A lot of the looks were really good looks. We came into the game shooting 50-somehting percent and 42 percent from the three-point line. The last thing I'm going to do is tell my shooters to quit shooting. It'll never happen, it'll never come out of my mouth. Unfortunately, the best shooters in the world make 40 percent of their threes. They miss 6-out-of-10 and you hope that doesn't happen to everybody on the same night, but we struggled shooting it as a whole. We played in a 85-86 possession game yesterday and did that. Were we worn out a little in the second half? Who knows? You don't know if that played a factor. Our guys competed and its as well as a defensive game plan of any team I've coached when you're getting ready overnight and you have no time to prepare. We executed as well as we could."
"We shot 39 percent in the first half. We were a little bit more lively defensively. We forced 11 turnovers the first half. We built the lead based on our defense, not our offense. We got a few easier ones at the basket; they adjusted to that coverage. We missed a few opportunities to get it in the middle of the zone. In the second half, as the game wore on, Ronnie [Harrell, Jr.] got some opportunities, he just missed them. We wanted to go there. He's been a great playmaker in the past when he catches the ball there. He made good decisions on when to spray it and when to try to score. Unfortunately, when we sprayed it, we didn't make the shots and when he turned and went to the basket, those didn't go in either.
On stretch:
'Marcus is our leader and he takes it upon himself to try to make plays when things aren't going well and he may have forced the issue a little, but Marcus has been great all year. He is going to win lot more games for us down the road."
Khyri Thomas
On chances:
"The ones we didn't get in the second half. We had those same shots in the first half, we knocked them down, but we needed those shots to go down in the second half as well."
On competition:
"We got through it well. As a team we played well and got through a little bit of adversity when it came time to guys playing not their usual position. Now we know what to expect from any team which is a fight, whether we are up or down. We have to be a tougher team when it comes down to it."
On similar games:
"Being a tougher team. Being way smarter with the ball. Strong possessions. Really just wanting it more. Got to want it more when it comes down to it. The last several minutes."
Baylor
Scott Drew
Opening Statement:
"We've been in Sprint Center before. Been in championship games before and they didn't turn out the way we wanted. The guys did a great job continuing to battle and fight throughout, so that we would have a chance down the stretch. Defensively, to hold Creighton to 34 percent and 29 in the second half, they're so potent on the offensive end. We were blessed they missed some shots they normally hit."
On Manu's play:
"If you would have told me he had 12 assists, I'd have felt better. That's where multi-game tournaments, especially early in the year, they turn into defensive battles and they turn into perseverance. Credit Creighton and Baylor for a late night show. Both teams fought hard. We know Creighton is going to have an outstanding year."
On McClure's play:
"We definitely needed someone to step up ad he has done that before for us at big times. Battle for Atlantis against Louisville, to go the Sweet 16 last year against USC and what's great is his teammates have confidence in him. When he gets going, they do a great job of making sure he stays aggressive, because he can do a lot of things. He's improved his game. A lot of times people key on Jo [Lual-Acuil] and Manu [Lecomte] and he takes a backseat. We are a lot better when we get more weapons, but I really credit the leadership of Jo and Manu to keep encouraging him and, especially down the stretch, making sure he got touches."
On Defensive adjustments:
"That's basketball and momentum. They hit a three or two and now they get more momentum. Like last night, we miss a couple shots in-and-out, they make a couple tough shots and all of sudden they've got the confidence. Tonight, we made a couple shots, we got the confidence. They had a couple go in-and-out. That's the difference and that's that word momentum that means so much in sports."
On Baylor's past early success:
"That always goes to the upperclassmen and leadership of the team and knowing how important they are. We try to make sure that they know it's a business trip. A lot of times these are fun environments and you have TV and you can get distracted. Our upperclassmen always do a good job to let them know the importance of these, especially come later in the year when it comes NCAA Tournament time."
On learning about team:
"I sure did {learn something about my team]. I'm really pleased with the chemistry, leadership and toughness and grit that they showed. Both games, we could have lost."
On adjustments:
"We have a of length. We have the Big 12's leading returning shot blocker from last season. Creighton has the returning Big East Defensive Player of the Year and he wreaks havoc on who he's guarding. Our defense starts with our center and Jo is a great anchor to our defense. When we mistakes, he erases them."
Jo Lual-Acul, Jr
On team's defense:
"That's one of our identities. We focus on the scouting reports and the coaches do a great job of preparing us and knowing personnel. As a team, as a unit, that's something we talk about a lot in the huddle. We always try to string as many stops in a row as we can."
King McClure:
On difference between tonight and last night:
"Last night we played with a lot of energy. Tonight, we did the same. I credit our leadership. Our leadership is amazing. We were down by nine. They came out and punched us in the mouth and our leaders, Manu and Jo, called us in together and said we are going to do this together. We do this as a team, we're brothers. We are going to fight together and we are going to win this. I credit our leadership. That's never changed. They've been the same leaders since the first game until now. I credit Manu and Jo for that."
Creighton fell to 4-1, while Baylor is 5-0.
Creighton came in averaging nearly 98 points per game, but shot just 34.4 percent from the field (22-64) and 16.7 percent (5-30) from the three-point line.
Baylor scored the game's first five points before CU settled in and rattled off the next eight points on baskets by four different starters. The run would become a 16-4 burst as Creighton took a seven-point lead after nine minutes, hounding the Bears into 4-for-13 shooting early on. CU pushed the margin into double-figures for the first time on a three-point play by Khyri Thomas, making it 25-15. Creighton would lead by as much as 12 (31-19) in the first half and finished with a 33-24 lead at the break.
Thomas had 10 points in the first half and held Big 12 scoring leader Manu Lecomte to two points on 1-of-2 shooting. The Bluejays led the rebound battle 19-16 and forced Baylor into 11 turnovers.
Creighton would miss nine straight shots as Baylor embarked on a 10-0 run to draw within two at 40-38 with 11:38 to go before Ty-Shon Alexander's driving lay-up snapped the drought. A three-point play by King McClure with 4:07 left tied the score at 50-all. McClure's drive then gave Baylor a 52-50 lead with 3:33 remaining, its first lead since 5-4 in the opening minutes.
Terry Maston would drain a big three-pointer with 2:01 left to give Baylor the lead. Foster would answer with a floater to trim the lead to one, but Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. answered with a bucket and the Bears would ice the game at the foul line.
Marcus Foster and Khyri Thomas were named to the All-Tournament Team for Creighton. Baylor's Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. was named MVP after 15 points and 15 bounds in the final.
Thomas led Creighton with 15 points, with Foster adding 12. Also in double-figures were Krampelj (11) and Alexander (10).
McClure topped BU with 19 points and Maston added 15 points and eight rebounds off the bench.
Creighton returns home on Saturday at 3:30 pm to host SIU Edwardsville in a game that will air on 1620 AM and FS2.
Baylor-Creighton Postgame Quotes
Creighton
Greg McDermott
Opening Statement:
"First of all, congrats to Baylor. They made it a rock fight for 36-37 minutes. We won the rock fight, we just couldn't finish it. As I told the team, over the course of a season, you're going to play great a third of the time, you're going to play ok a third of the time and you're going have third of the games where something's not cooking. We shoot 5-of-30 from three. We have our two best players go 3-of-19. If you would have told me that going in, I would have said we are going to get beat by 25, but we didn't get beat by 25, because of the other things we did well. We competed on the glass, we executed a defensive game plan without any prep time. With a walk-through and a film session. Khyri [Thomas] did an unbelievable job on their best player, frustrating him. They have a hug advantage inside. They exploited that, there is not a whole lot we can do about that. It wasn't because a lack of effort. They get seven offensive rebounds, we get 12. We had some opportunities to make baskets and we didn't do it.
On shooting:
"A lot of the looks were really good looks. We came into the game shooting 50-somehting percent and 42 percent from the three-point line. The last thing I'm going to do is tell my shooters to quit shooting. It'll never happen, it'll never come out of my mouth. Unfortunately, the best shooters in the world make 40 percent of their threes. They miss 6-out-of-10 and you hope that doesn't happen to everybody on the same night, but we struggled shooting it as a whole. We played in a 85-86 possession game yesterday and did that. Were we worn out a little in the second half? Who knows? You don't know if that played a factor. Our guys competed and its as well as a defensive game plan of any team I've coached when you're getting ready overnight and you have no time to prepare. We executed as well as we could."
"We shot 39 percent in the first half. We were a little bit more lively defensively. We forced 11 turnovers the first half. We built the lead based on our defense, not our offense. We got a few easier ones at the basket; they adjusted to that coverage. We missed a few opportunities to get it in the middle of the zone. In the second half, as the game wore on, Ronnie [Harrell, Jr.] got some opportunities, he just missed them. We wanted to go there. He's been a great playmaker in the past when he catches the ball there. He made good decisions on when to spray it and when to try to score. Unfortunately, when we sprayed it, we didn't make the shots and when he turned and went to the basket, those didn't go in either.
On stretch:
'Marcus is our leader and he takes it upon himself to try to make plays when things aren't going well and he may have forced the issue a little, but Marcus has been great all year. He is going to win lot more games for us down the road."
Khyri Thomas
On chances:
"The ones we didn't get in the second half. We had those same shots in the first half, we knocked them down, but we needed those shots to go down in the second half as well."
On competition:
"We got through it well. As a team we played well and got through a little bit of adversity when it came time to guys playing not their usual position. Now we know what to expect from any team which is a fight, whether we are up or down. We have to be a tougher team when it comes down to it."
On similar games:
"Being a tougher team. Being way smarter with the ball. Strong possessions. Really just wanting it more. Got to want it more when it comes down to it. The last several minutes."
Baylor
Scott Drew
Opening Statement:
"We've been in Sprint Center before. Been in championship games before and they didn't turn out the way we wanted. The guys did a great job continuing to battle and fight throughout, so that we would have a chance down the stretch. Defensively, to hold Creighton to 34 percent and 29 in the second half, they're so potent on the offensive end. We were blessed they missed some shots they normally hit."
On Manu's play:
"If you would have told me he had 12 assists, I'd have felt better. That's where multi-game tournaments, especially early in the year, they turn into defensive battles and they turn into perseverance. Credit Creighton and Baylor for a late night show. Both teams fought hard. We know Creighton is going to have an outstanding year."
On McClure's play:
"We definitely needed someone to step up ad he has done that before for us at big times. Battle for Atlantis against Louisville, to go the Sweet 16 last year against USC and what's great is his teammates have confidence in him. When he gets going, they do a great job of making sure he stays aggressive, because he can do a lot of things. He's improved his game. A lot of times people key on Jo [Lual-Acuil] and Manu [Lecomte] and he takes a backseat. We are a lot better when we get more weapons, but I really credit the leadership of Jo and Manu to keep encouraging him and, especially down the stretch, making sure he got touches."
On Defensive adjustments:
"That's basketball and momentum. They hit a three or two and now they get more momentum. Like last night, we miss a couple shots in-and-out, they make a couple tough shots and all of sudden they've got the confidence. Tonight, we made a couple shots, we got the confidence. They had a couple go in-and-out. That's the difference and that's that word momentum that means so much in sports."
On Baylor's past early success:
"That always goes to the upperclassmen and leadership of the team and knowing how important they are. We try to make sure that they know it's a business trip. A lot of times these are fun environments and you have TV and you can get distracted. Our upperclassmen always do a good job to let them know the importance of these, especially come later in the year when it comes NCAA Tournament time."
On learning about team:
"I sure did {learn something about my team]. I'm really pleased with the chemistry, leadership and toughness and grit that they showed. Both games, we could have lost."
On adjustments:
"We have a of length. We have the Big 12's leading returning shot blocker from last season. Creighton has the returning Big East Defensive Player of the Year and he wreaks havoc on who he's guarding. Our defense starts with our center and Jo is a great anchor to our defense. When we mistakes, he erases them."
Jo Lual-Acul, Jr
On team's defense:
"That's one of our identities. We focus on the scouting reports and the coaches do a great job of preparing us and knowing personnel. As a team, as a unit, that's something we talk about a lot in the huddle. We always try to string as many stops in a row as we can."
King McClure:
On difference between tonight and last night:
"Last night we played with a lot of energy. Tonight, we did the same. I credit our leadership. Our leadership is amazing. We were down by nine. They came out and punched us in the mouth and our leaders, Manu and Jo, called us in together and said we are going to do this together. We do this as a team, we're brothers. We are going to fight together and we are going to win this. I credit our leadership. That's never changed. They've been the same leaders since the first game until now. I credit Manu and Jo for that."
Team Stats
BU
CU
FG%
.462
.344
3FG%
.313
.167
FT%
.857
.769
RB
38
34
TO
16
9
STL
4
7
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
15
FGM
5
3FGM
2
FTM
3
Pts
12
FGM
5
3FGM
1
FTM
1
Pts
11
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Pts
10
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
3
Players Mentioned
G
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