Big East Conference Tournament Recaps

New York, NY (SportsNetwork.com) – Paced by 32 points from Doug McDermott, the Creighton Bluejays outlasted the Xavier Musketeers, 86-78, in the semifinal round of the Big East Conference Tournament at Madison Square Garden.

McDermott shot 10-of-20 from the field and a perfect 10-of-10 at the free- throw line for second-seeded Creighton (26-6), which punched its ticket to Saturday’s championship game to take on Providence. Ethan Wragge shot 5-of-9 from 3-point range for 17 points, while Austin Chatman added 11 points.

“We’re thrilled,” Creighton coach Greg McDermott said. “In less than 24 hours, we’re playing for a Big East championship. When Ethan (Wragge) and Doug (McDermott) made the decision to come to Creighton, when I made the decision to come to Creighton, for that matter, none of us ever dreamed that would be a possibility.”

For third-seeded Xavier (21-12), Isaiah Philmore tallied 23 points and seven rebounds, Semaj Christon registered 18 points and six assists and Justin Martin netted 12 points.

“What a great tournament. Wish we would be a part of it tomorrow night, but Creighton was obviously much better,” Xavier head coach Chris Mack said.

Creighton took a comfortable 45-33 lead at intermission after shooting 53.6 percent from the field in the opening stanza. McDermott and Wragge combined for 33 first-half points for the Bluejays.

“To be on the stage we’re going to be on tomorrow night is a fitting way for an incredible senior class to end their regular season careers to play for a Big East title,” McDermott said.

The Bluejays’ advantage extended to as many as 19 with just eight minutes to play, but the Musketeers showed some fight by bringing their deficit to just five with 1:23 remaining following a Dee Davis 3-pointer. Xavier would get no closer however, as Creighton knocked down all eight of its free-throw attempts in the final minute.

Game Notes

Xavier upset Creighton back on March 1 at the Cintas Center, 75-69 … Creighton is seeking its third straight conference tournament title, having claimed the Missouri Valley crown in each of the last two seasons … McDermott has scored 30 or more in three straight games … The Bluejays knocked down 21-of-24 at the free-throw line on the evening, compared to only 8-of-12 for the Musketeers … Xavier shot just 4-of-16 from 3-point range.

Final Score: Providence 80, Seton Hall 74

New York, NY (SportsNetwork.com) – LaDontae Henton tallied 26 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Providence Friars past the Seton Hall Pirates, 80-74, in the Big East Conference semifinals at Madison Square Garden.

Bryce Cotton also tallied a double-double with 18 points and 10 assists for fourth-seeded Providence (22-11), which will play Creighton in Saturday’s title bout. Tyler Harris poured in 17 points on 3-of-4 from 3-point range.

For eighth-seeded Seton Hall (17-17), Fuquan Edwin netted 20 points, Sterling Gibbs scored 13 and 11 points, respectively, and Patrik Auda logged nine points and nine rebounds.

Providence carried a 38-34 lead into intermission after shooting 50 percent from the field in the first half. Seton Hall shot just 39.3 percent in the opening 20 minutes but kept the game close by knocking down 9-of-10 at the free-throw line.

The Pirates cut their lead to just one, 46-45, on a Gibbs 3-pointer with 13:23 remaining, but the Friars pulled away with a 10-2 run and held on down the stretch for the six-point victory.

Providence shot 25-of-35 at the free-throw line, compared to 16-of-20 for Seton Hall.

Categorized in: NCAA Basketball