PHILADELPHIA, PA – Defense wins championships. Or so the saying goes… But on Friday, the seventh-seeded Creighton Bluejays demonstrated that sometimes good offense can trump good defense, as they defeated the tenth-seeded Cincinnati Bearcats 67-63 in a Midwest Regional Second Round contest.
Not surprisingly, the Bluejays were led by their All-American and coach’s son, Doug McDermott, who poured in 27 points on 7-of-15 shooting and a perfect 11-of-11 from the charity stripe, while also pulling down eleven rebounds. It was Creighton’s ability as a team to consistently get to the free-throw line and then convert (making a jaw-dropping 22-of-25 from the line), as well as to knock down shots from behind the arc (hitting 7-of-15) that ultimately held off a gritty Bearcats squad.
Gregory Echenique scored fifteen points, and Ethan Wragge came of the bench to drill 4-of-5 three-pointers for the Bluejays.
The Bearcats had four players score in double-figures, including leader Sean Kilpatrick, who finished with nineteen points.
The Bluejays will next square-off against second-seeded Duke in a Third Round match up Sunday night.
Scott Graham and John Thompson called the action on Westwood One Sports.
(Echenique’s dunk brings Creighton within two at 16-14)
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(Kilpatrick buries a 3-pointer to put the Bearcats on top 17-16 early)
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(Mcdermott gets the bucket and the foul)
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(McDermott’s layup opens up a 52-44 Bluejays lead)
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(Kilpatrick’s jumper pulls Cincinnati even at 54-54)
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(Final as Creighton seals a 67-63 victory)
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For our complete NCAA Tournament schedule, CLICK HERE.
