MBB Minute: Creighton, Xavier Move To 5-2 In League Play
Creighton and Xavier each posted victories at home before sellout crowds on Saturday to improve to 5-2 in the conference standings and create a three-way tie for second place with Georgetown.
The Bluejays defeated Butler 72-64 in front of 17,677 fans at CenturyLink Center. Maurice Watson Jr. led four starters in double figures with 18 of his 20 points coming in the second half. He also had six assists. Isaiah Zierden added 13 points. The 14-6 Bluejays matched last season’s victory total. Butler’s Kelan Martin produced his third straight double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds. Kellen Dunham finished with 20 points.
Xavier bounced back from its home loss to Georgetown with an 84-76 victory over visiting Seton Hall. Xavier’s James Farr had a career-high 24 points, 15 rebounds, four assists and three blocked shots. Trevon Bluiett added 15 points -- all in the second half -- and Edmond Sumner had 13. The Pirates’ Desi Rodriguez also had a career scoring high, finishing with 21 points and grabbing eight rebounds. Khadeen Carrington scored 19 points. The Cintas Center was full with 10,368 fans.
Georgetown was playing its final non-conference game of the season at Connecticut. The Hoyas led with four minutes to go, but could not hold on, losing 68-62. D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera and L.J. Peak each had 12 points. Smith-Rivera had five assists.
Because of the severe weather, the Marquette-St. John’s game scheduled for Madison Square Garden on Saturday was postponed until Sunday afternoon at 3:45 p.m. ET at Carnesecca Arena. It will be the second meeting between the two teams this season. The Golden Eagles rallied in the final five minutes to beat the Red Storm 81-75 on Jan. 9. CBS Sports Network will show the game on tape delay at 6 p.m. The game will be livestreamed on CBSSports.com.
The Providence-Villanova game scheduled for Saturday at noon had already been moved to 1 p.m. Sunday at the Wells Fargo Center. The game will still be televised on FOX. It will be the sixth conference contest this season between ranked teams.