After losing its last three conference games, Creighton took down No. 3 Villanova 89-83. The Bluejays improved to 20-9 and 9-7 in the BIG EAST. CU remained in third place in the league.
Throughout the first half the Bluejays and Wildcats went back-and-forth with the lead, tied up 15-15 at the first media timeout. Creighton's Khryi Thomas hit his fifth three-pointer to give the Jays a 25-24 lead with under 10 minutes to play in the first half. Villanova came back with a 9-0 run to take a five point lead just before the half. At the buzzer, Creighton's Marcus Foster hit a step-back three-pointer putting the Jays just two behind the Wildcats at halftime.
The Bluejays came out hot in the second half taking the largest lead 56-50 with under 11 minutes remaining. Creighton missed five straight shots allowing Villanova to take its largest lead at 68-60 with 4:30 on the clock. The Bluejays answered with a 9-0 run to take back the lead, but the Wildcats pulled back ahead 71-69 with two minutes to play.
Creighton's Mitch Ballock hit a three-pointer to take a 72-71 lead with 29.4 seconds on the clock. After a foul by the Wildcats Thomas had a chance to add to the Jays lead but missed his first free throw. With nine seconds to play Creighton's Foster fouled Villanova's Donte Divincenzo and he headed to the line for the double bonus. Divincenzo missed his first free throw but made his second, tying up the game 72-72.
Creighton went for the last second shot to win but Foster's shot was blocked, sending the game into overtime. The Bluejays held a 78-76 lead with two minutes to play in overtime. Creighton's Jacob Epperson then took a foul and made his free throws to give the Bluejays a four point lead with 1:27 to go. After a free throw from Thomas and a jumper from Ballock the Jays took a six point lead with 58 seconds to play in overtime. Creighton took it's largest lead 87-78 with 30 seconds on the clock. The Bluejays went on to win 89-83.
Creighton's Foster and Thomas combined for a total of 52 points to lead the Jays.
The Bluejays have two games remaining in the regular season, they host DePaul Tuesday, Feb. 27th on Senior Night and end on the road against Marquette March 3rd.
