Creighton Advances in Vegas: Graves and Dix Fuel Second-Half Surge Against Rutgers
Creighton Advances in Vegas: Graves and Dix Fuel Second-Half Surge Against Rutgers
The retirement tour for Creighton head coach Greg McDermott continues for at least one more game. In a gritty quarterfinal matchup at the College Basketball Crown, the Bluejays overcame a slow start to dismantle the Rutgers Scarlet Knights 82-69. The victory at the MGM Grand Garden Arena ensures that McDermott, the winningest coach in program history, will lead his team into a semifinal showdown against West Virginia on Saturday. After announcing his retirement last month, the motivation within the Creighton locker room to "send Coach Mac out on top" was palpable throughout the second half.
Rutgers initially looked like the fresher team, jumping out to a 22-12 lead behind the speed of their young backcourt. However, Creighton found their rhythm late in the first half, punctuated by a critical Josh Dix three-pointer with 43 seconds left in the period that capped a 19-6 run. The Bluejays went into the locker room with momentum, but the real fireworks began after the intermission as their offense exploded for 51 second-half points.
Nik Graves Takes Over the Strip
The story of the night was the play of Nik Graves. The point guard was nearly unstoppable in the second half, scoring 25 of his season-high 28 points in the final 20 minutes. Graves repeatedly exploited the Rutgers defense with a mix of veteran pump fakes and aggressive drives to the basket, finishing 7-of-13 from the floor and 12-of-13 from the free-throw line. He also added eight assists, orchestrating an offense that shot a blistering 61.5% in the second half.
Dix was equally impactful, hitting four three-pointers and finishing with 14 points. His perimeter gravity opened up lanes for Jasen Green, who added 16 points and nine rebounds. The Bluejays' ability to share the ball was the difference, as they finished with 15 assists compared to just 12 for Rutgers. Creighton’s defense also adjusted after the early Rutgers surge, holding the Scarlet Knights to just 36.9% shooting for the game.
The Final Chapter for McDermott
As the final whistle blew, fans behind the Creighton bench hoisted signs thanking McDermott for his 16 years of service. With 366 wins under his belt, McDermott has transformed Creighton into a perennial power in the Big East. This deep run in the College Basketball Crown provides a fitting coda to a career defined by consistency and excellence. "We're going to have fun together for a few more days," McDermott said post-game. "This group has worked too hard to let it end now.”
Creighton (16-17) now turns its attention to the Mountaineers. The matchup promises to be a clash of styles, pitting Creighton's high-efficiency offense against West Virginia's physical defense. For the Bluejays, every game is now a single-elimination effort to prolong the career of their legendary leader. If Graves and Dix continue to play at this level, the "Coach Mac" era might just end with one last piece of hardware in the trophy case.
