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Creighton tops St. Joseph's on McDermott's three-point play

In one clutch instant, Creighton all-American forward Doug McDermott showed why he attracted so many NBA scouts. With Creighton trailing by 79-78, McDermott scored on a conventional three-point play to give the Bluejays an 81-79 lead in an eventual 83-79 win over St. Joseph's before an enthusiastic crowd Saturday night at Hagan Arena.

St Joseph's (10) Langston Galloway, right, uses his cross over dribble to drive by Creighton's (12) Jahenns Manigat, left, to get to the basket in the first half of Saturday's game. (Michael Bryant/Staff Photographer)
St Joseph's (10) Langston Galloway, right, uses his cross over dribble to drive by Creighton's (12) Jahenns Manigat, left, to get to the basket in the first half of Saturday's game. (Michael Bryant/Staff Photographer)Read more
    by By Marc Narducci, Inquirer Staff Writer
    Published 

In one clutch instant, Creighton all-American forward Doug McDermott showed why he attracted so many NBA scouts.

With Creighton trailing by 79-78, McDermott scored on a conventional three-point play to give the Bluejays an 81-79 lead in an eventual 83-79 win over St. Joseph's before an enthusiastic crowd Saturday night at Hagan Arena.

McDermott drilled a jumper from just inside the three-point line and was fouled by Halil Kanacevic with 4.9 seconds left. He made the ensuing free throw.

St. Joseph's 6-foot-6 freshman, DeAndré Bembry, who had a team-high 20 points, had the assignment to guard McDermott on the inbounds play.

"I started on him, and it was a down screen, and I was supposed to stay with him, and we ended up switching, and he got the open shot," Bembry said.

McDermott scored 20 points but was limited to 14 shots as St. Joseph's constantly double-teamed him.

"I saw the . . . miscommunication on a down screen and was able to get open for a split second and knocked it down," McDermott said of the game-winner.

A total of 16 NBA credentials were issued, including one to 76ers general manager Sam Hinkie. McDermott, the nation's leading returning scorer who averaged 23.2 points last season, was the obvious main attraction.

After McDermott's basket, the Hawks (2-1) had one last chance, but Chris Wilson's long inbounds pass was intercepted by Devin Brooks, who was fouled and made both free throws.

Wilson said the play was drawn up to hit Ronald Roberts Jr. around the three-point area and have him either drive or pass the ball. Roberts was the target because of his outstanding leaping ability.

"It is a play that has worked a lot in practice, but unfortunately they made a good play on the ball," said Wilson, who scored 18 points, hitting 6 of 11 threes.

With Creighton leading by 78-77, St. Joseph's guard Langston Galloway missed a pull-up jumper, but Roberts got the rebound, was fouled, and made two free throws with 27.5 seconds left.

While he scored only five points, Kanacevic had 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Galloway scored 14, and Roberts added 13.

Ethan Wragge, a 6-7 senior, came off the bench to score a game-high 21 points on 7-of-11 shooting from three-point range, while Brooks added 16 in a reserve role for the 3-0 Bluejays.