Thrilling Finale: Men’s Basketball Edges Past St. John’s 57-56 in Nail-Biting Showdown!

OMAHA, Neb. — The duo of Steven Ashworth and Ryan Kalkbrenner accounted for 15 of the Bluejays’ final 19 points as Creighton secured a 57-56 victory against St. John’s on December 31. This marked the second consecutive year that Creighton prevailed by one point in Omaha over the Red Storm, finishing with a defensive stand in the last seconds, having triumphed 66-65 in a similar manner.

The victory improved the Bluejays’ record to 9-5 for the season and 2-1 in BIG EAST competition, whereas St. John’s dropped to 11-3 overall and 2-1 in conference play.

A defensive struggle saw the Red Storm surge to a 9-2 lead in the initial four minutes and extend their lead to as much as 11 at 18-7 with 10:33 left. Trailing 22-13 with 7:54 remaining, the Bluejays’ offense began a gradual ascent resulting in a 13-3 run to take the lead at 26-25 with 1:55 to go.

Ashworth initiated the scoring with a three-pointer, followed by Jackson McAndrew, who added the next five points to narrow the gap for Creighton at 24-21 (5:16). A basket from Jasen Green and another three by Ashworth awarded Creighton the 26-25 advantage, but a traditional three-point play from the Red Storm sent Creighton into the locker room trailing 28-26 at the halftime break.

The St. John’s defense limited Creighton in the early minutes of the second half, leaving the Bluejays behind at 34-30 with 15:20 on the clock. The tide turned for the Bluejays when Jamiya Neal hit from beyond the arc, sparking a 12-2 run. Isaac Traudt added another three to put Creighton ahead at 36-34 (13:48). After a floater by the Red Storm tied the game at 36-36, Neal reclaimed the lead with a driving layup, and Kalkbrenner punctuated the momentum with consecutive dunks, giving the Bluejays a 42-36 lead at the 11:08 mark.

Creighton managed to stretch its lead to as many as eight points with a three from Traudt with 6:27 left, followed again by Kalkbrenner’s third dunk of the half at 4:31 remaining.

St. John’s closed the gap to one point in the final moments with a 6-0 run, making it 55-54 (1:31). Ashworth sank two from the free-throw line as the game approached the last minute, but the Red Storm crept back to within a single point as Deivon Smith made a driving layup with 36 seconds on the clock.

Creighton’s 19th turnover of the matchup provided an opening for the Red Storm in the dying seconds, but the Bluejays’ defense held strong, blocking two attempts from RJ Luis to clinch the victory.

Ashworth spearheaded the Bluejays with 18 points, hitting four three-pointers while also securing five rebounds, while the Preseason BIG EAST Player of the Year, Kalkbrenner, concluded with 16 points, nine rebounds, and five blocked shots. Creighton dominated the rebounding category 41-34 and outscored SJU by 21 points from beyond the arc.

St. John’s received 16 points from Zuby Ejiofor and 10 from Deivon Smith in the loss. The Red Storm converted only 2-of-9 three-point attempts, both by big man Ejiofor, who came into the contest 3-for-15 from long distance. SJU recorded 11 steals, spearheaded by four from Smith.

The Bluejays will return to the court on Friday, January 3 for an away game against No. 8 Marquette, which will be broadcast at 8:00 p.m. on FS1.

NOTES: Ryan Kalkbrenner became the first athlete in league history to amass 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, and 200 blocked shots in regular season BIG EAST play … Ryan Kalkbrenner (1,994) surpassed Chad Gallagher (1,983) for fourth place on Creighton’s all-time scoring list … Jamiya Neal recorded nine rebounds and now has 401 in his career … Steven Ashworth has hit a three-pointer in 32 consecutive games and multiple threes in 16 straight contests … Today’s victory marked Creighton’s 300th game inside CHI Health Center Omaha (in 363 attempts) … Creighton now holds an 11-1 record against St. John’s at CHI Health Center Omaha … Creighton is 8-1 in its last nine matchups against St. John’s … Today was Greg McDermott‘s 125th regular-season BIG EAST victory, surpassing St. John’s coach Rick Pitino for eighth-most in league history … Greg McDermott is currently 10-2 on New Year’s Eve as a head coach, with a 6-2 record at Creighton … Steven Ashworth successfully converted both free throw attempts, extending his streak to 29 in a row, and a nation-leading 52-of-53 overall (.981) this season … Creighton has successfully won 16 consecutive BIG EAST games when Ryan Kalkbrenner attempts 12 or more field goals … Today represents Creighton’s 28th win under Greg McDermott after facing a double-digit deficit, and the first since March 17, 2022, against San Diego State … Creighton now stands at 33-37 historically in the 70 contests at CHI Health Center Omaha when down by 10 or more points at any moment, and 42-30 when trailing at halftime indoors.