In a not so surprising result, the San Jose State Spartans were dropped by the Creighton Blue Jays 85-74. Creighton entered the game as a ten point favorite, but they had to battle from behind to claim the victory. The Spartans took a three point lead into the half but were unable to stop the Blue Jays in the second half. We’ll have plenty of CIT coverage in here but that will bring an end to our Bay Area CBI coverage.
Omaha, NE (Sports Network) – Doug McDermott scored a game-high 26 points and pulled down nine rebounds as the Creighton Bluejays defeated the San Jose State Spartans, 85-74, in the first round of the College Basketball Invitational at Qwest Center Omaha. McDermott converted 10-of-16 shots from the floor on the night, including 4- of-7 behind the three-point line for the Bluejays (20-14). Gregory Echenique accounted for 18 points and Jahenns Manigat a career-high 17 points on 5-of-6 shooting beyond the arc. Kenny Lawson added 10 points and seven rebounds in just 15 minutes off the bench.
The Spartans (17-16) were paced by Keith Shamburger who tallied 23 points, followed by Wil Carter with 15 points, 11 rebounds and four assists in the setback. Adrian Oliver, one of the nation’s leading scorers this season, responded with just 14 points and Justin Graham 13. San Jose State connected on 51.5 percent from the floor in the first half, including 7-of-10 behind the three-point line, yet that only afforded the Spartans a three-point lead at the break, 43-40.
In the second half Creighton erupted for 53.1 percent shooting from the floor in order to overtake SJSU and claim the 11-point home win. The Creighton reserves outscored the San Jose State bench by a 21-9 margin on the night, the hosts also holding a 36-28 advantage on the glass as well. The Jays now head to the quarterfinals where they will contend with Davidson which defeated James Madison tonight.