In a competitive matchup at Coleman Coliseum on December 14, 2024, the No. 7 Alabama Crimson Tide secured an 83-75 victory over the Creighton Bluejays, improving their season record to 8-2.
Alabama’s offense was spearheaded by guard Mark Sears, who delivered a standout performance with 27 points and six rebounds. Freshman guard Labaron Philon contributed significantly off the bench, adding 16 points and five rebounds, while forward Derrion Reid chipped in 12 points. Forward Grant Nelson dominated the boards, securing 10 rebounds to help the Crimson Tide achieve a 46-32 advantage in rebounding.
Creighton, entering the game with a 7-3 record, was led by guard Steven Ashworth, who tallied 20 points and nine assists. Center Ryan Kalkbrenner provided a strong inside presence, scoring 18 points and grabbing seven rebounds. Forward Jackson McAndrew showcased his shooting prowess, hitting five three-pointers en route to a career-high 16 points.
The Crimson Tide established an early lead, utilizing a 9-0 run to go up 13-7. They extended their advantage to 27-10 midway through the first half, highlighted by an 11-0 run capped by a three-pointer from Sears. Creighton responded with a 12-4 run, narrowing the gap to 35-25, but Alabama maintained a 37-31 lead at halftime after connecting on only one of its final 14 first half shots.
In the second half, Alabama continued to apply pressure, with Sears completing a three-point play to extend the lead to 49-37. Creighton fought back, reducing the deficit to six points after baskets from Kalkbrenner and Ashworth. However, Alabama responded, pushing the lead back to 12 points at 63-51 following consecutive scores by Sears.
Creighton made a late push, with McAndrew and Ashworth each hitting three-pointers to bring the Bluejays within seven points. A subsequent three-pointer by McAndrew cut the deficit to 79-75 with 24.4 seconds remaining. Despite this surge, Alabama secured the victory as Sears converted four crucial free throws in the final moments.
Alabama’s shooting performance included a 42.9% success rate from the field, though they struggled from beyond the arc, hitting only 6 of 30 attempts. Creighton shot 45% overall and connected on 8 of 27 three-point attempts. The Crimson Tide’s dominance on the boards and their ability to capitalize on free-throw opportunities in the closing seconds were pivotal factors in their win.
Following the game, Alabama head coach Nate Oats commented, “That wasn’t necessarily the prettiest game at times, but I thought our guys were resilient. We built the lead in the first half, but you have got to give Creighton a ton of credit. They kept hammering away. I think they finished the first half on a 21-10 run. So, we didn’t close like we needed to.” Oats appreciates Creighton for scheduling the out-of-conference series with the Tide, noting, “We’ve got three more games before conference play. I think this will be a win that goes a long way come March. That’s why we schedule games like this. I appreciate them coming and scheduling this series.”
Oats also commented on the return of Chris Youngblood, who played his first game in crimson versus the Bluejays, “He’s been a great leader whether he’s been on or off the floor. I love having him in the program. Even when he hasn’t been able to play, he makes everybody better.”
Looking ahead, Alabama is set to host North Dakota on December 18 (8pm CT on CBS Sports Network), aiming to build on their current momentum. Creighton travels to Georgetown on December 18.
Nate Oats post-game Comments on Alabama’s win at home over Creighton
Alabama players’ post-game Comments on Alabama’s win at home over Creighton
Creighton at Alabama game highlights
Article by TideFans.com