MBB Minute: Providence got 24 points from Stefan Vaaks and double-doubles from Jamier Jones and Oswin Erhunmwunse to earn the victory. DePaul’s CJ Gunn had a career-night as the Blue Demons won their third straight game at home.
Friday, Jan. 16
Providence 93,
Creighton 88 -
Box Score
Stefan Vaaks scored a season-high 24 points and dished out seven assists, leading five Friars in double figures in a home win over Creighton. The Bluejays started off strong, leading by as many as 10 in the first half. PC would close the opening frame on a 15-6 push, getting within one (46-45) at the break. Providence opened the second half on a 25-11 push, building a 14-point advantage after an Oswin Erhunmwunse dunk made it 71-57 with 10:11 to play. Creighton would cut it to three late (91-88) after a Josh Dix 3-pointer with seven seconds left. Erhunmwunse (14 points/13 rebounds) and Jamier Jones (18 points/11 rebounds) tallied double-doubles for the Friars. Jasen Green led Creighton with a game and career-high 26 points to go with seven rebounds and four assists. Josh Dix added 17 points and Blake Harper 16.
Of Note
- It marked the 11th time this season that Providence had five players reach double figures
- Providence's Stefan Vaaks became the first BIG EAST freshman to record three consecutive 20-point games in conference play since Marcus Lovett of St. John’s in 2017.
- Creighton's 26-game win streak when scoring 80 points or more was snapped. CU's last loss when scoring 80+ came in Providence on Feb. 7, 2024
DePaul 80,
Marquette 75 -
Box Score
The Blue Demons won their third straight at home for the first time since 2007, led by a career-high 31 points from CJ Gunn - the highest single-game scoring output by a DePaul player since 2022. Marquette scored 11 straight as part of an extended 20-8 run to take a 10-point lead (20-10) at the 12:16 mark. The Golden Eagles led by as many as 11 and held onto a 44-36 advantage at the break. But DePaul broke the game open with 14 unanswered points to start the second half. A steal and dunk by Layden Blocker with 14:19 to play made it a 10-point game and the Blue Demons would push it to as many as 15. But Marquette would fight back, holding DePaul without a field goal for the final 4:12 while closing the game on a 13-2 push to get within four with a minute to play. NJ Benson had 17 points (8-9 FG) for the Blue Demons, while Brandon Maclin added 12 and Layden Blocker 10 to go with eight assists for DePaul. Marquette's Nigel James Jr. continued to shine, finishing with 18 points, eight assists, five rebounds and two steals. Royce Parham had 14, Chase Ross 13 and Damarius Owens 12 for the Golden Eagles.
Of Note
- CJ Gunn became the fourth BIG EAST player to make at least seven 3-pointers in a conference game this season
- DePaul's win marked its largest halftime comeback at home in conference play since March 3, 2019 against St. John's.
- Marquette's Nigel James Jr. has shined in BIG EAST play and is the only freshman nationally to average at least 17.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists in conference games
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Looking Ahead: Today's action in the BIG EAST begins with a pair of noon-time tip offs, as Butler travels to Seton Hall on TNT and truTV and UConn plays at Georgetown on FOX. St. John's at Villanova closes out the day with an 8 p.m. ET start on Peacock and NBC Sports Network.
Saturday, Jan. 17
TNT & truTV
Butler at
Seton Hall - Noon ET
Brian Anderson (pxp); Grant Hill (analyst); Andy Katz (reporter)
FOX
UConn at
Georgetown - Noon ET
Tim Brando (pxp); Donny Marshall (analyst)
Peacock & NBCSN
St. John's at
Villanova - 8 p.m. ET
Paul Burmeister (pxp); Tarik Turner (analyst)
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This Week in the BIG EAST Podcast: Zuby Ejiofor from St. John's, DePaul head coach Chris Holtmann, and Rob Dauster from the Field of 68 are the guests on the third episode of This Week in the BIG EAST. Now in its 12th season, This Week In The BIG EAST (#TWITBE) is distributed by Westwood One radio and is available wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.
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BIG EAST Men's Basketball Public Availability Reports
Beginning in 2025-26, the BIG EAST Conference will provide public reports on the availability of student-athletes in conference games in the sports of men's and women's basketball.
Men's Basketball Availability Report
BIG EAST schools will be required to submit availability reports three hours before the scheduled tipoff time. Under the reporting structure, players will be designated as "questionable" or "out." Availability reports will be posted on the BIG EAST website throughout the 2025-26 season.