Creighton Celebrates Cayman Isalnds Classic Crown
MBB Minute -- Creighton Beats No. 16 Clemson to Win Cayman Islands Classic
Creighton captured its seventh in-season tournament crown in nine seasons under coach Greg McDermott when the Bluejays knocked off No. 16 Clemson 87-82 in the title game of the Cayman Islands Classic. Guard Ty-Shon Alexander, whose previous career scoring high was 20 points, poured in 36 to grab MVP honors. He made 7-of-12 from 3-point range and connected on all 11 free throws. Alexander’s point total was the most by a Bluejay since Doug McDermott had 45 on March 8, 2014.
Xavier picked up a victory in its final game of the Maui Invitational, defeating Illinois 83-74. Quentin Goodin hit his team-leading scoring average with 15 points and helped the Musketeers pull away in the second half. Guard Elias Harden posted his second straight career scoring high with 14 points and Naji Marshall added 13 points, six rebounds and five assists.
Marquette built a nine-point lead by halftime against No. 2 Kansas, but the Jayhawks stormed back with a 22-0 run to start the second half and gained a 77-68 victory in the NIT Tip-Off. Sam Hauser posted 20 points and six rebounds. Markus Howard added 18 points.
Butler lost to Dayton 69-64 in its first-round game of the Battle 4 Atlantis. Paul Jorgensen and Sean McDermott each scored 18 points. Kamar Baldwin had 11 points and seven assists.
Three BIG EAST teams are in action on Thanksgiving Day. Villanova meets Canisius in the first round of the Advocare Invitational on ESPN2 at 1:30 p.m. ET. Seton Hall opens play in the Wooden Legacy tourney on ESPN3 at 9 p.m. Butler battles Middle Tennessee State in its second game at the Battle 4 Atlantis at 9:30 p.m. on ESPNU.