Creighton Men’s Basketball Triumphs in Charity Exhibition Against Purdue
In an electrifying charity exhibition game held at the CHI Health Center Omaha, the No. 15 Creighton men’s basketball team showcased their prowess by defeating the No. 14 Purdue Boilermakers with a score of 93-87. This thrilling matchup not only highlighted the skills of both teams but also served a noble cause, raising an impressive $150,000 for the United Way of the Midlands Disaster Relief Fund.
A Competitive First Half
The game kicked off with Purdue quickly establishing a lead, scoring the first four points. However, Creighton responded with an impressive eight-point run, spearheaded by standout player Pop Isaacs, who contributed five points during this stretch. The Bluejays took control, with a three-pointer from Isaac Traudt extending their lead to double digits at 25-15. The momentum continued as Fredrick King delivered a powerful dunk, pushing Creighton’s lead to 29-17, their largest of the first half.
Despite Creighton’s strong start, Purdue fought back, narrowing the gap to just two points (45-43) in the closing moments of the half. A timely three-pointer from Steven Ashworth allowed Creighton to maintain a five-point advantage at halftime, setting the stage for an exciting second half.
Second Half Surge
As the second half commenced, Purdue came out strong, scoring eight of the first ten points to reclaim the lead at 51-50. However, Creighton quickly regained their footing. Ryan Kalkbrenner hit a crucial three-pointer, followed by a floater from Isaacs, which allowed the Bluejays to take the lead for good with 17:27 remaining.
Freshman Jackson McAndrew made his mark with a three-pointer that extended Creighton’s lead to 68-60, prompting a timeout from Purdue. The Boilermakers attempted to close the gap, but Creighton responded with a decisive 13-4 run, capped off by another dunk from Traudt, pushing the score to 81-69 with just under eight minutes left.
Key Performances
Pop Isaacs was undoubtedly the star of the night, finishing with 24 points and six assists. His ability to penetrate the defense and create scoring opportunities was pivotal for Creighton’s success. Alongside him, Steven Ashworth contributed 16 points and led the game with eight assists, showcasing his playmaking abilities. Kalkbrenner also had a strong performance, scoring 18 points on an efficient 6-of-7 shooting, while also grabbing six rebounds and blocking three shots.
Purdue’s Braden Smith, the Preseason Big Ten Player of the Year, led all scorers with a remarkable 31 points, supplemented by seven rebounds and four assists. Despite his efforts, the Boilermakers struggled to keep pace with Creighton’s offensive onslaught.
Statistical Highlights
Creighton’s shooting was nothing short of impressive, as they finished the game with a 60% field goal percentage (36-60) and made 13 of 28 attempts from beyond the arc. Their bench also played a significant role, contributing 31 points and 15 rebounds, demonstrating the depth of the squad. The Bluejays outscored Purdue in the paint (46-32) and showcased their ability to share the ball effectively, recording 25 assists throughout the game.
On the other hand, Purdue shot 47.8% from the field and struggled from three-point range, hitting only 8 of 21 attempts. Despite winning the rebounding battle 33-31, they could not overcome Creighton’s offensive efficiency.
Looking Ahead
With this exhibition victory, Creighton continues to build momentum as they prepare for their regular-season opener against UTRGV on November 6, 2024, at 8:00 PM. The Bluejays will look to carry the energy and confidence from this game into the upcoming season, aiming for a successful campaign in the competitive landscape of college basketball.
Noteworthy Observations
Head coach Greg McDermott’s record in fall exhibition games improved to an impressive 32-0, with this being only the second game decided by single digits. Creighton’s dominance in fall exhibitions continues, as they have now won 24 consecutive games in this format. The game also marked a rare occasion for Purdue, who had been 29-1 in exhibition games under coach Matt Painter.
As the season approaches, fans and analysts alike will be keenly watching how Creighton builds on this performance, especially with the depth and talent displayed in this charity exhibition. The Bluejays have set a high bar, and the excitement surrounding their upcoming games is palpable.