Georgetown needs to step up at Creighton

Field Level Media|published: Sat 22nd February, 18:17 2025

Feb 16, 2025; Queens, New York, USA; Creighton Bluejays center Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) celebrates after getting fouled on a made basket in the second half against the St. John's Red Storm at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Much has changed since Georgetown hammered Creighton 81-57 in the Big East opener for both teams on Dec. 18.

Nearly 10 weeks later, the Bluejays are destined for their fifth straight NCAA Tournament berth, while the Hoyas are on track to miss the tournament for the fourth straight year.

Georgetown (16-10, 7-8 Big East) still has time to make a late run, however, and a quality win at Creighton (18-8, 11-4) on Sunday in Omaha, Neb., would help rekindle its flickering hopes.

With a victory, the Hoyas also would achieve their first two-game winning streak of the calendar year.

On Wednesday, coach Ed Cooley notched his first win over his former team, as Georgetown took down Providence 93-72.

With standout Thomas Sorber sidelined with turf toe, Micah Peavy scored a career-high 30 points and added seven rebounds, seven assists and six steals.

It was a particularly emotional win for Cooley as he was mourning the loss of his mother, who passed away earlier in the week.

"This was really a signature win for me as a coach and not so much because of the opponent but because of the adversity we were facing," said Cooley, who also cited the absence of another injured starter, Caleb Williams.

Creighton is well aware of Peavy, who delivered 20 points, eight rebounds, eight assists and seven steals in the first meeting. In a span of less than five minutes as the Hoyas ran away, Peavy stole the ball four times and finished each with a breakaway slam.

Creighton has had a week off after losing its second straight, 79-73 at then-No. 9 St. John's.

Steven Ashworth scored 23 points and dished out 11 assists, which matched his career high. Creighton's Ryan Kalkbrenner added 12 points while slowed by a foot injury in the second half.

"We've won the free throw-allowed battle all year long," Creighton coach Greg McDermott said. "For us to shoot 15 free throws and for them to shoot 29, we're not doing what we're supposed to do. We were way too handsy."

In the Bluejays' two recent defeats, which included a 70-66 loss to UConn, they made just 15 of 54 shots from 3-point range (27.8 percent). The losses came after Creighton had won nine in a row.

"We gotta go to Creighton. We know it's gonna be a monster in there," Cooley said. "It seems like every time we go to Creighton, it's dollar beer night."

--Field Level Media