Steven Ashworth and Ryan Kalkbrenner Lead Creighton to Heart-Stopping One-Point Win Over St. John’s in Omaha

Creighton University’s men’s basketball team rang in the New Year with a nail-biting 57-56 victory over St. John’s in Omaha on December 31, 2024. The Bluejays, led by the dynamic duo of Steven Ashworth and Ryan Kalkbrenner, displayed resilience and determination, overcoming a double-digit deficit to secure their second consecutive one-point win over the Red Storm at CHI Health Center Omaha.

The triumph moved Creighton to a 9-5 overall record and 2-1 in BIG EAST play, while St. John’s fell to 11-3 overall and 2-1 in the conference. The game was a testament to defensive grit, strategic adjustments, and key performances from star players.

First Half: A Slow Burn to Recovery

St. John’s came out firing, racing to a 9-2 lead within the first four minutes and extending their advantage to 18-7 midway through the half. Creighton struggled to find their rhythm against a tenacious Red Storm defense. However, with 7:54 remaining, the Bluejays began to chip away at the lead.

Steven Ashworth’s three-pointer ignited a 13-3 run that saw contributions from Jackson McAndrew, Jasen Green, and Ashworth himself. A late surge gave Creighton their first lead at 26-25, but a three-point play by St. John’s sent the Bluejays into halftime trailing 28-26.

Second Half: The Momentum Shift

The Bluejays opened the second half still searching for offensive consistency, falling behind 34-30 with just over 15 minutes to play. That’s when Jamiya Neal drained a pivotal three-pointer to spark a 12-2 run. Isaac Traudt followed with another triple, and Ryan Kalkbrenner’s dominance in the paint fueled Creighton’s resurgence.

The turning point came during an electrifying stretch where Kalkbrenner delivered back-to-back dunks, giving Creighton a 42-36 lead with 11:08 remaining. The Bluejays extended their advantage to eight points on multiple occasions, including a highlight-reel dunk from Kalkbrenner with just over four minutes left.

A Nail-Biting Finish

Despite Creighton’s strong second half, St. John’s refused to back down. A 6-0 run in the final minutes brought the Red Storm within one point, 55-54. Ashworth, calm under pressure, sank two free throws to extend the lead to three. However, St. John’s Deivon Smith responded with a driving layup to close the gap to 57-56 with 36 seconds left.

In the final moments, Creighton’s defense held firm. After a costly turnover gave St. John’s one last opportunity, the Bluejays denied RJ Luis on two shot attempts, sealing the victory and sending the home crowd into a frenzy.

Star Performers and Key Statistics

Steven Ashworth led the Bluejays with 18 points, including four three-pointers, and added five rebounds. Ryan Kalkbrenner, the reigning Preseason BIG EAST Player of the Year, contributed 16 points, nine rebounds, and five blocked shots. Kalkbrenner’s dominance on both ends of the floor was instrumental in Creighton’s success.

Creighton won the rebounding battle 41-34 and outscored St. John’s by 21 points from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, St. John’s relied on Zuby Ejiofor, who tallied 16 points and hit two of the team’s three-pointers, and Deivon Smith, who added 10 points and four steals.

Historical Milestones and Notable Achievements

The game marked several significant milestones for the Bluejays. Ryan Kalkbrenner became the first player in BIG EAST history to achieve 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, and 200 blocked shots in regular-season conference play. He also climbed to fourth place on Creighton’s all-time scoring list with 1,994 career points.

Steven Ashworth extended his streak of consecutive games with a made three-pointer to 32 and has now hit multiple triples in 16 straight contests. His flawless free-throw shooting this season (52-of-53, .981) continues to lead the nation.

Additionally, the victory was Creighton’s 300th win at CHI Health Center Omaha and the 125th regular-season BIG EAST win for head coach Greg McDermott, who surpassed Rick Pitino for eighth-most in league history.

Looking Ahead

Creighton’s next challenge comes on January 3, 2025, as they face No. 8 Marquette on the road. The highly anticipated matchup will be broadcast on FS1 at 8:00 p.m. The Bluejays will look to build on their momentum and continue their climb in the BIG EAST standings.

For St. John’s, the narrow loss serves as a reminder of the competitiveness of conference play. The Red Storm will aim to bounce back as they prepare for their next game.

Takeaways

Creighton’s ability to rally from a double-digit deficit and secure a hard-fought victory speaks volumes about the team’s resilience and depth. With standout performances from Ashworth and Kalkbrenner, the Bluejays are proving they have the tools to compete at the highest level in the BIG EAST.

Fans can expect more thrilling contests as Creighton continues its journey through the season.