Man, if you turned off the TV with two minutes left in the Creighton game on Tuesday night, you missed the kind of "Bluejay Magic" that keeps Omaha sports talk radio buzzing for weeks. Honestly, the Creighton men's basketball score—a 86-83 overtime win over Georgetown—doesn't even begin to tell the real story of how Greg McDermott’s squad snatched victory from what looked like a guaranteed home loss.
Down 76-69 with 1:34 on the clock. At the CHI Health Center. Against an 11-point underdog.
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Usually, that’s when the "Fire Greg" tweets start trending. But then Austin Swartz happened. The sophomore guard went on a heater for the ages, dropping a career-high 33 points and basically willing the Bluejays back into the game. It wasn't just that they won; it’s how they did it. Swartz’s game-tying three-pointer with 17.8 seconds left in regulation was the kind of shot that marks a turning point for a season that has been, frankly, a bit of a roller coaster.
The Numbers Behind the Creighton Men's Basketball Score
Winning in the Big East is never pretty. We saw that again on Tuesday. Creighton moved to 11-7 overall and 5-2 in conference play, which keeps them right in the thick of the race behind a dominant UConn and a resurgent Villanova.
The box score shows a game of two halves—and one very tense extra period. Creighton led by two at the half (38-36), but Georgetown’s Malik Mack and Julius Halaifonua started shredding the Jays' perimeter defense after the break.
Key Performance Markers
- Austin Swartz: 33 points, 10-of-18 from the field, and a ridiculous 41.9% from deep this season.
- Jasen Green: The glue guy. He didn't just score 10 points; he had the interior bucket that started the 7-0 run to force OT.
- Josh Dix: Even on an "off" night, he came up with a deflection and an assist to Green that cut the lead to three late in regulation.
- Team Free Throws: Creighton shot 74.9% from the line, which eventually salted the game away in overtime.
Let’s be real for a second. Creighton fans are used to seeing a refined, high-IQ offense. This year, it’s felt more like a construction site. The Jays are 6-4 in their last ten games. They've had head-scratching losses like the 90-73 blowout against St. John's just a few days prior. But this Creighton men's basketball score against the Hoyas felt like a team finding its identity. They didn't win because the shots were falling early; they won because they finally learned how to win "ugly."
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Breaking Down the "New Look" Bluejays
There’s been a lot of talk about how McDermott changed the lineup back in late December. It was a risky move, but looking at the results, it’s hard to argue with. The bench is deeper than people think, even if the scoring isn't always consistent.
Guys like Nik Graves (averaging about 9.1 points) have stepped up to handle the ball, allowing Swartz to play off-screen more often. And let's talk about the defense. Creighton is currently allowing 72.3 points per game, which puts them 5th in the Big East. That’s a bit higher than previous years, but they’re holding opponents to 43.8% shooting, which is respectable given how fast some of these conference teams play.
Wait, did you catch the stat on BIG EAST wins since the 2013 realignment? Villanova leads with 166, but Creighton is second with 143. That’s more than UConn (though the Huskies were gone for a while) and more than Marquette. This program is a sustained winner, even if this specific season feels like a rebuilding project at times.
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What's Next on the Schedule?
The celebration can't last long. The Jays are heading East to face the Providence Friars on Friday, January 16. Providence is a weird team this year—they score a ton (88.7 PPG) but their defense is a sieve.
| Opponent | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| @ Providence | Jan 16 | Amica Mutual Pavilion |
| vs. Xavier | Jan 21 | CHI Health Center |
| @ Marquette | Jan 27 | Fiserv Forum |
| vs. UConn | Jan 31 | CHI Health Center (Pink Out) |
If Creighton wants to stay in the top four of the conference, they have to win that Xavier game at home. The Musketeers are dangerous, but the CHI Health Center needs to be the fortress it was on Tuesday night.
Actionable Insights for the Bluejay Faithful
If you’re following the Creighton men's basketball score for the rest of January, here is what actually matters for the postseason:
Watch the "Quad 1" Record
Creighton’s seven losses have come against teams with a combined record of 96-23. Three of those—Iowa State, Nebraska, and Gonzaga—are in the AP Top 10. They aren't losing to bad teams; they're losing to giants. To secure a high seed in March, they need to snag a road win against a ranked opponent.
The Austin Swartz Factor
Keep an eye on Swartz’s usage rate. He’s averaging 11.6 points on the season, but in conference play, that number is spiking. If he becomes a consistent 18-20 point threat, Creighton becomes a nightmare to scout.
Fix the St. John’s Hangover
The 17-point loss to St. John’s revealed a weakness in transition defense. Against Providence’s Jason Edwards, the Jays cannot afford to let the Friars get out and run. If the score stays in the 70s, Creighton wins. If it gets into the 90s, they’re in trouble.
Keep a close eye on the "Pink Out" game against UConn on January 31. That’s the big one. It's not just about the Creighton men's basketball score; it's about making a statement to the selection committee that the Bluejays are still the kings of Omaha.
To stay updated on the latest shifts in the Big East standings, check the official conference stats or follow the local Omaha beat reporters who are at every practice. The next two weeks will determine if this team is a Sweet 16 contender or a bubble team fighting for its life.