Creighton Men’s Basketball Triumphs in Charity Exhibition Against Purdue
In an electrifying charity exhibition game held at the CHI Health Center Omaha, the No. 15 Creighton men’s basketball team showcased their talent and teamwork, defeating the No. 14 Purdue Boilermakers 93-87. This thrilling matchup not only entertained fans but also raised an impressive $150,000 for the United Way of the Midlands Disaster Relief Fund, highlighting the community spirit that surrounds college basketball.
A Strong Start and Competitive Spirit
The game kicked off with Purdue quickly establishing a 4-0 lead, but Creighton responded with an impressive 8-0 run, fueled by the dynamic play of Pop Isaacs. Isaacs, who finished the night with 24 points and six assists, was instrumental in setting the tone for the Bluejays. A pivotal moment came when freshman Isaac Traudt sank a three-pointer, giving Creighton their first double-digit lead at 25-15. The Bluejays continued to build momentum, reaching a 29-17 advantage after a powerful dunk from Fredrick King.
Despite Creighton’s early dominance, Purdue fought back, narrowing the gap to just two points (45-43) before halftime. A timely three-pointer from Steven Ashworth allowed Creighton to maintain a slight edge as they headed into the locker room with a 46-43 lead.
Second Half Surge
The second half saw Purdue come out strong, scoring eight of the first ten points to reclaim the lead at 51-50. However, Creighton quickly regained control. Ryan Kalkbrenner hit a crucial three-pointer, and Isaacs followed up with a floater, putting the Bluejays ahead for good. Freshman Jackson McAndrew’s three-pointer with 11:15 left in the game extended Creighton’s lead to 68-60, prompting a timeout from Purdue.
As the game progressed, Creighton maintained their composure, executing plays effectively and showcasing their depth. The Bluejays went on a 13-4 run, capped off by another dunk from Traudt, pushing their lead to 81-69 with just under eight minutes remaining. Although Purdue managed to cut the deficit to five points in the final minutes, Creighton held firm, sealing the victory with a free throw from Jasen Green in the closing seconds.
Standout Performances
In addition to Isaacs’ stellar performance, several other players contributed significantly to Creighton’s success. Steven Ashworth added 16 points and led the team with eight assists, while Kalkbrenner recorded 18 points on an impressive 6-of-7 shooting, along with six rebounds and three blocks. The Bluejays demonstrated their offensive prowess, shooting 60 percent from the field and making 13 of 28 attempts from beyond the arc.
On the Purdue side, Braden Smith, the Preseason Big Ten Player of the Year, led all scorers with 31 points, complemented by seven rebounds and four assists. Trey Kaufman-Renn and Fletcher Loyer also made notable contributions, scoring 22 and 17 points, respectively. Despite their efforts, Purdue struggled with their shooting efficiency, finishing at 47.8 percent from the field.
Key Statistics and Insights
Creighton’s victory marked a significant achievement for head coach Greg McDermott, who improved to 32-0 in fall exhibition games as a Division I head coach. This win also extended Creighton’s remarkable streak to 24 consecutive fall exhibition victories. The Bluejays showcased their depth by playing 12 players for five minutes or more, with the bench contributing 31 points and 15 rebounds on an efficient 13-of-22 shooting.
Interestingly, this exhibition game was a rare loss for Purdue under head coach Matt Painter, who had previously boasted a 29-1 record in exhibition contests. The game also highlighted Creighton’s ability to score in the paint, outscoring Purdue 46-32 in that area.
Looking Ahead
With the exhibition behind them, Creighton is set to open their regular season on November 6 at 8 p.m. against UTRGV. Fans are eager to see how the Bluejays will carry this momentum into the season, especially with a roster that has demonstrated both skill and depth. As the team prepares for their upcoming challenges, the excitement surrounding Creighton basketball continues to grow, promising an exhilarating season ahead.