Colorado State stifle high-scoring No. 8 Creighton to win Hall of Fame Classic

Field Level Media|published: Thu 23rd November, 17:56 2023

Colorado State University's Isaiah Stevens claps after winning a game against University of Northern Colorado at Bank of Colorado Arena in Greeley, Colo., on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023 credits: Logan Newell/The Coloradoan / USA TODAY NETWORK

Isaiah Stevens scored 20 points, and Colorado State put together its best defensive performance of the season to upset No. 8 Creighton 69-48 Thursday to win the Hall of Fame Classic in Kansas City, Mo.

Stevens added six rebounds and seven assists for the Rams (6-0), who were participating in the Hall of Fame Classic for the first time in program history. Rashaan Mbemba chipped in 13 points.

Meanwhile, the Bluejays (5-1) were seeking their third title after winning the event in 2002 and 2004.

But Creighton never found its rhythm against Colorado State, making just 17 of 61 (27.9 percent) shots overall, including just 6 of 29 (20.7 percent) from long range.

Baylor Scheierman paced the Bluejays with 13 points, while Ryan Kalkbrenner supplied 12 to go along with seven rebounds. Creighton was averaging 91.2 points per game entering Thursday's meeting.

Neither team scored in the first 2 1/2 minutes of the second half, but then Colorado State took over.

The Rams scored the first five points of the period to go up by 13, but the Bluejays were within 10 at 39-29 after Trey Alexander's free throw with 14:33 remaining.

Josiah Strong ignited a 9-0 run with a jumper, and by the 11:01 mark, Colorado State's lead had ballooned to 19.

Creighton never got closer than 13 the rest of the way, with the Rams leading by as much as 23.

Colorado State's defense was suffocating through the first 20 minutes of action, holding the Bluejays to 22.9 percent shooting from the field, including a 3-of-19 (15.8 percent) mark from 3-point range.

Scheierman and Alexander, Creighton's top two scorers entering the contest, combined to make just 2 of 20 shots in the first half.

The Rams had their own offensive struggles, connecting on just 1 of 12 3-pointers, but they still managed to build a 27-19 advantage by the break.

Alexander converted a layup to give the Bluejays a 10-9 edge with 15:05 to play until halftime, but Mbemba answered with a layup of his own, and Creighton never led again.

—Field Level Media

Latest