By AARON BRACY
Philahoops Staff
As Doug McDermott proved, you can’t hold greatness down forever.
St. Joe’s clamped down on the Creighton star, who Hawks coach Phil Martelli called “the best player in college basketball,” for most of the night on Saturday. But when it mattered, McDermott came up with one of the more amazing three-point plays you will see.
McDermott hushed an excited Hagan Arena crowd, sending a dagger into St. Joe’s upset hopes, with a 20-foot and-one that lifted the Blue Jays to a thrilling 83-79 victory on Saturday night in a classic college basketball game.
The Hawks battled back from a late seven-point deficit to take a 79-78 lead with 27.5 seconds remaining on Ronald Roberts’ two free throws that came after an remarkable rebound by the Hawks big man. St. Joe’s had played well all evening and looked poised for a victory, particularly after DeAndre Bembry’s block of a driving Devin Brooks with 6.9 ticks left.
But McDermott broke free from the Hawks’ man-to-man coverage just long enough to catch Grant Gibbs’ pass and fire a 20-footer from the left wing. The ball splashed through the net and McDermott was fouled on the play by Halil Kanacevic.
The nation’s returning leading scorer and consensus preseason All-American made the free throw to give the Blue Jays (3-0) an 81-79 lead. The Hawks’ chances were finally thwarted when Brooks broke up Chris Wilson’s desperation pass to Roberts.
“We were right there, seconds away from winning,” Roberts told Philahoops. “McDermott just got an open shot, made it. I’m happy that everybody on our team fought but at the same time we lost so it’s hard to look at the positives. But the game is over. Can’t go back, can only go forward.”
With Creighton determined to stop Roberts, there was room on the floor for others – and the Hawks (2-1) took advantage. Wilson set a career-high with five 3-pointers en route to 18 points and Bembry led the Hawks (something you might hear often) with 20.
Martelli, obviously, wasn’t pleased with the result. But he liked what he got from his Hawks.
“They have a really nice team, but I was really impressed with the guys in my locker room,” Martelli said. “I have a really great team. There are pieces missing, basketball pieces. These guys, you can’t wait to get to work with them in every aspect. … I really, really, really enjoy this team.”
Of course, he would’ve enjoyed things even more had the Hawks held on.
It sure looked like they would when Bembry blocked Brooks’ go-ahead attempt from close range with 6.9 seconds left. But McDermott slipped free on the ensuing inbounds pass and Gibbs found him just inside the 3-point arc on the left side. It was the first game-winner of McDermott’s career.
“Doug has played a lot of basketball, this was his first game-winner, so it’s about time,” joked Creighton coach Greg McDermott, who is Doug’s dad.
Said Martelli: “I think we missed a communication. We have to do better than that. We have to win that game.”
The Hawks started like they were going to blow the Blue Jays away, racing to an early 13-point advantage that stood at five at the break. Creighton outscored St. Joe’s 18-5 over one 6:17 stretch midway through the second half to take it largest lead, 80-62 with 7:55 remaining. And the Hawks were still down seven when McDermott made a layup with 4:13 left to put the Blue Jays in front 74-67.
But a spark came on Roberts’ alley-oop dunk followed by a Bembry 3 to pull St. Joe’s within two points, 74-72 with 3:17 remaining. St. Joe’s still trailed by one with under a minute left when Langston Galloway pulled up from 18 feet but missed.
Roberts skied for a rebound and was fouled on the putback attempt. The career 59 percent free-throw shooter calmly drained both at the line to give St. Joe’s a 79-78 advantage with 27.5 seconds to play.
“I was just determined to get the rebound,” Roberts said. “I got it and went back up. Luckily they called the foul. I’ve been working on that. That’s been one of my main focuses, free-throw shooting and jump shooting.”
Said Martelli, “It’s really a tribute to his work ethic that he can walk to the free-throw line in a pressure packed game and make those free throws.”
Unfortunately for St. Joe’s, those foul shots wouldn’t stand up.
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-McDermott on Hagan: Doug McDermott spoke highly of the Hagan Arena atmosphere. Read more in the St. Joe’s notebook.
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Postgame Video
Creighton coach Greg McDermott and Jays’ Doug McDermott
St. Joe’s coach Phil Martelli
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