St John's defeats Creighton 73-90

St John's Edges Creighton in Thrilling Conference Showdown

In a back-and-forth contest that showcased the skills of both teams, visiting St John's emerged victorious over host Creighton 90-73 at the CHI Health Center Omaha on Monday night.

The game was a prime example of how conference matchups can often come down to the wire. As the clock ticked away, it became clear that this one would be a battle for the ages.

At halftime, the score was tied at 34-34, but St John's came out strong in the second half, building a lead as large as 27 points before Creighton fought back to cut the deficit to just 17 points with under five minutes remaining.

Despite the late surge from Creighton, St John's held on for the win, thanks in part to a balanced attack that saw multiple players contribute significantly. Lefteris Liotopoulos led the way with 17 points, while Dillon Mitchell chipped in with 8 and Zuby Ejiofor added 12 assists.

On the other side of the court, Creighton's Isaac Traudt had his best game of the season, scoring 14 points on 4-of-7 three-point shooting. Blake Harper also made a significant impact, grabbing four rebounds and adding 12 points of his own.

The key to St John's success was their ability to limit turnovers, committing just six against Creighton's nine. This allowed them to maintain possession and create scoring opportunities throughout the game.

Creighton's struggles on defense were evident in the paint, where St John's outscored them 34-24. The Bluejays also struggled with free throws, converting just 17 of 20 attempts at the line compared to St John's 12-of-18.

The win marked a significant statement for St John's, who remain undefeated against Creighton in conference play. For Creighton, it was a tough loss that will likely serve as a wake-up call heading into their next matchup.

As the teams prepare for their next contests, one thing is clear: this game will be remembered for its intensity and competitiveness.