Creighton topped No. 11 Marquette with a decisive 77-67 victory, highlighted by Steven Ashworth’s impressive performance of 22 points and a season-high six 3-pointers, including a crucial shot in the final minute. This win marks a significant achievement for the Bluejays, who have now secured their ninth consecutive victory in the Big East, setting a new program record.
Following their earlier loss to Marquette on January 3, where they fell 79-71, Creighton (18-6, 11-2) has rebounded strongly and is now just one game behind Big East leader St. John’s. Their current form showcases a formidable team that is gaining momentum as the season progresses.
In addition to Ashworth’s standout performance, Ryan Kalkbrenner contributed 19 points and showcased his defensive prowess with four blocked shots. Jamiya Neal also played a pivotal role, scoring 10 of his 14 points in the second half, helping the Bluejays maintain their lead.
For Marquette (18-6, 9-4), Kam Jones led the scoring with 27 points, while David Joplin added 22. Despite their efforts, the Golden Eagles are now experiencing a three-game losing streak, their longest since late 2021.
Marquette fought back from an 11-point deficit in the second half, briefly taking the lead at 61-60 on Joplin’s layup with 6:34 remaining. However, Kalkbrenner’s timely three-pointer shifted momentum back to the Bluejays, putting them ahead 67-63 with just over three minutes left.
Takeaways
Marquette: The Golden Eagles are facing their most challenging stretch, marking their longest losing streak since they lost four consecutive games between December 2021 and January 2022.
Creighton: The Bluejays have not only set a program record with nine straight Big East wins but have also matched their best start in conference play since joining in the 2013-14 season. Their current winning streak is their longest since starting 13-0 in the 2016-17 season.
Key moment
A pivotal moment came when Neal scored from under the basket, extending Creighton’s lead to 72-67. He then secured a rebound on Stevie Mitchell’s missed shot, setting the stage for Ashworth’s decisive three-pointer that pushed the lead to eight points with just 43 seconds remaining.
Key stat
Ashworth entered the game having made only 3 of his last 26 attempts from beyond the arc but turned things around dramatically, finishing 6-of-9 from three-point range. In their previous encounter with Marquette, he struggled, going just 1-of-13 from deep.
Up next
Marquette is set to host DePaul on Tuesday, looking to break their losing streak.
Creighton will welcome No. 19 UConn on Tuesday, aiming to extend their winning streak further.
