Strong Second Half Propels Men's Basketball Past Phoenix, 86-65

OMAHA, NEB -- Lifted by a 14-2 second half surge, the Creighton men's basketball team defeated Green Bay 86-65 on Friday, Dec. 14. The win moved the Bluejays to 7-3 on the season, while Green Bay fell to 6-5 overall.

After giving up the first bucket of the game, the Bluejays turned three Phoenix turnovers into an 8-0 run to force a Green Bay timeout just over two minutes into the game. Coming out of the timeout Green Bay settled into its offense, pulling even at 19-19 with 12:07 left in the opening period.

Leading 27-25 with just under eight minutes remaining, Creighton surged ahead once more as the Bluejay defense forced Green Bay into another trio of turnovers. The first two Phoenix miscues led to layups from Damien Jefferson and Mitch Ballock, Creighton capped the 10-2 run behind three-pointers from Ballock and Marcus Zegarowski to build a double-digit edge at 37-27.

Each side delivered mini bursts in the closing moments as Green Bay pulled within five at 37-32, only to see the Bluejays answer with seven of the final nine points of the period to take a 44-34 edge into the locker room.

After the Phoenix connected first in the second half, a pair of Creighton layups pushed the Bluejay advantage to 12 at 48-36 with 17:09 left. Green Bay responded to the challenge, chipping into Creighton's lead over the next six minutes the Phoenix to close within four, 58-54.

Each time Green Bay drew within striking distance the Bluejays found an answer from long range. This time is was Zegarowski answering the bell with a three from the right wing to start a 14-2 Creighton run over the next four minutes. During the stretch the Bluejays got a huge boost off the bench from senior Kaleb Joseph. The New Hampshire native netted eight points of his 11 Bluejay points over three consecutive Creighton possessions. Creighton never looked back, coasting to the 21-point win.

Green Bay entered the game ranked 13th nationally with 87.2 points per game, only to be held to a season-low 65 points by a Bluejay defense that had allowed 197 points in the previous two games.

Four Bluejays finished in double figures led by 19 points from Ballock. Ty-Shon Alexander closed the contest with 17 points and a career-high six assists, while Zegarowski and Joseph delivered 13 points and 11 points, respectively.

Green Bay got a game-high 20 points and 10 rebounds from Sandy Cohen III, but he was the only Phoenix to reach double digits.

The Bluejays return to the hardwood on Tuesday, Dec. 18 as Creighton faces Oklahoma in Norman. Tip is scheduled for 8:05 pm on ESPNU.

NOTES: Creighton has made 10 or more three-pointers in seven straight games for the first time in program history ... Creighton was credited with 24 fast break points, one game after scoring none in a loss at Nebraska ... Creighton has now won its first home game after meeting Nebraska in each of the last 14 seasons, and by an average of 22.77 points ... Creighton surpassed 100,000 home fans for the 17th straight season ... Creighton's 117 three-pointers are its most ever after 10 games ... Creighton avoided losing consecutive non-conference home games for just the second time in the last 25 seasons with tonight's win ... Ty-Shon Alexander has scored in double-figures in all 10 games so far. Since 1979-80, Doug McDermott (all 35 games in 2011-12) is the only other Bluejay that can say that ... Greg McDermott improved to 5-0 all-time against Green Bay, while Creighton won its first all-time meeting vs. the Phoenix.

Strong Second Half Propels Men's Basketball Past Phoenix, 86-65

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Team Stats

Mitch Ballock

Ty-Shon Alexander

Marcus Zegarowski

Kaleb Joseph

Players Mentioned

Ty-Shon Alexander

Mitch Ballock

Damien Jefferson

Kaleb Joseph

Marcus Zegarowski

Players Mentioned

Ty-Shon Alexander

Mitch Ballock

Damien Jefferson

Kaleb Joseph

Marcus Zegarowski