Steven Ashworth leads Creighton with 20 points and nine assists
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Creighton men’s basketball team put up a strong fight against No. 7 Alabama but ultimately fell 83-75 in its non-conference finale on Saturday night at Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Alabama improved to 8-2 on the season, while Creighton heads into BIG EAST play on Wednesday with a 7-4 record.
A Ryan Kalkbrenner dunk opened the scoring, followed by a Steven Ashworth three-pointer that gave CU its only leads of the game. Alabama responded quickly, surging to a 24-10 advantage that prompted a Bluejay timeout. The deficit grew to as much as 17 points (27-10) before Creighton’s bench sparked a 13-4 run to close the first half, cutting Alabama’s lead to 37-31.
Kalkbrenner posted 10 points, four rebounds, and two blocks by halftime, while Ashworth added nine points, playing all 20 minutes. Alabama’s Labaron Philon led the Crimson Tide with eight points in the first half, as Alabama shot just 38.5 percent, missing 13 of its last 14 attempts before the break.
Alabama opened the second half with a quick 5-0 run, extending the lead to 42-31. Creighton responded with an 8-2 run, trimming the deficit to six points at 53-47 with 11:24 remaining.
Late in the game, Ashworth’s three-pointer with 3:38 left pulled CU within seven at 70-63. Three-pointers from Jamiya Neal (72-66) and Jackson McAndrew (77-71) twice brought the Bluejays within six points in the final three minutes. With a minute left, CU missed an open three-pointer that could have cut the deficit to three and was forced to foul.
After two free throws by Alabama, McAndrew converted a four-point play with 24.4 seconds remaining to make it 79-75, but the Bluejays couldn’t get any closer.
Ashworth (20), Kalkbrenner (18), McAndrew (16), and Neal (13) all scored in double figures for CU. Ashworth also tied his career-high with nine assists. Creighton shot 45.0 percent from the field and 29.6 percent from beyond the arc.
Alabama was led by a season-high 27 points from All-American Mark Sears, who recorded his fourth 20-point game in five outings. Sears hit 4-of-7 from deep as Alabama made just 6-of-30 three-pointers as a team. The Crimson Tide shot 42.9 percent overall and dominated the boards 46-32, including 17 offensive rebounds.
Creighton returns to action on Wednesday, Dec. 18, opening BIG EAST Conference play at Georgetown with a 5:30 p.m. Central tip-off.
Men’s Basketball Drops Non-Conference Finale at No. 7 Alabama
