Name: No. 11 Creighton defeats No. 8 Seton Hall to earn share of program's first Big East title
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No. 11 Creighton defeats No. 8 Seton Hall to earn share of program's first Big East title

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Get local news delivered to your inbox!Please subscribe to keep reading. You can cancel at any time.Loading&amp;hellp;{{title}}{{description}}{{banner}}(renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax){{tagline}}{{special_title}}{{html}}You are the owner of this article.You have permission to edit this article.|© 2022 Lee EnterprisesShare ThisNo. 11 Creighton defeats No. 8 Seton Hall to earn share of program's first Big East titleShare thisMarcus Zegarowski sat quietly on the end of the Creighton bench, resting his right arm on the seat next to him as his eyes scanned the mayhem that had engulfed the court after the Jays clinched a share of their first-ever Big East title.Had his right knee not been wrapped in ice, the gritty point guard surely would have been somewhere in the middle of that delirious scene.The student section transported itself to midcourt. Confetti fluttered down from the rafters, where a brand-new championship banner had been unveiled moments following the win. Most of the Creighton players huddled around coach Greg McDermott by the scorer’s table — that’s where they passed around the Big East trophy to hoist above the masses. Queen blared over the PA speakers.“Weeeee, are the champions, my friends ...”Zegarowski was nodding his head.Did he see this coming? Did anyone? Perhaps it doesn’t matter now. The Jays lost three of their first five Big East games back in January, yet two months later, they were here in Omaha cutting down the nets after an emphatic 77-60 victory over No. 8 Seton Hall, one of the league’s other two co-champions.And certainly, the story of Creighton’s historic run is about more than its lead guard. Zegarowski would be the first to insist that’s the case. Scoring balance has been Creighton’s biggest weapon this year.But Zegarowski’s unrelenting competitiveness, on display for all 39 minutes of his 23-point masterpiece Saturday, seems to have filtered into the fabric of this team this season.When they take the floor, they expect to win. When they take a hit, they answer right back. Whatever it takes. Zegarowski embodied that Saturday.“As soon as the game started, when he was hitting all those shots, I already knew,” junior Ty-Shon Alexander said. “He was going to go crazy this whole game.”Zegarowski stood in a defensive stance at the top of the key to begin almost every Seton Hall possession, often shouting at the leery Pirates (21-9, 13-5), who walked the ball up the floor in an attempt to dictate the flow of the game.He made eight of his 10 field-goal attempts, including all five of his 3s. He delivered dimes and rose up for rebounds. He crashed to the floor for a steal early in the second half, then set his feet for a charge down the stretch.“To be honest with you, Zegarowski played unbelievable,” Seton Hall coach Kevin Willard said. “If he plays like that, I don’t know if anybody can beat them.”Zegarowski didn’t let up Saturday, until he couldn’t go anymore — he limped off the court after landing awkwardly while lunging for a late steal. The early prognosis indicates that the knee injury is not serious, according to McDermott.Zegarowski, on crutches after the game, did not participate in interviews. He presumably would have tried to sidestep the media spotlight, anyway, sharing an assessment similar to the one McDermott relayed in the postgame press conference.“He’s had a terrific year, but this team’s never been about individual guys achieving stuff,” McDermott said. “It’s, what can we do together?”That was indeed evident during No. 11 Creighton’s decisive surge Saturday before 18,519 fans, the 10th-largest crowd in school history.The Jays (24-7, 13-5) got points from seven players as they outscored Seton Hall 30-10 over the game’s final nine minutes. They combined to make 12 of their final 13 shots.Sophomore Christian Bishop started it all with an and-one. Zegarowski and Mitch Ballock followed up with&nbsp;transition layups. They found favorable mismatches within their five-guard lineup a couple of times down, then they isolated and attacked. Damien Jefferson and Denzel Mahoney both hit midrange jumpers.But the highlight was most certainly the last 3-pointer from Alexander, who rose up to shoot as chants of “C-U, C-U, C-U!” rained down from the electrified Creighton crowd.After the ball dropped through the net, Mahoney hopped his way back to the other end of the floor. Ballock pointed to the students. Alexander and Zegarowski, forehead to forehead, shouted exuberantly at each other as Seton Hall used its final timeout.The celebration began soon after that.But it won’t last too long.Creighton finished in a three-way tie for first with Seton Hall and Villanova in the league standings, but the Jays earned the No. 1 seed in next week’s Big East tournament at Madison Square Garden. The NCAA tournament’s just more than a week away.CU’s long-term goals extend beyond what was accomplished Saturday. And it’ll hope that Zegarowski, the floor general, heals quickly. Because this tight-knit assembly of small-ball gladiators doesn’t believe there’s a ceiling on this year’s potential.“I got a better plan,” Ballock told the crowd after climbing a ladder and snipping off his piece of the net. “Let’s do it in the Garden. Let’s do it at the Final Four.”"To be able to do it in front of them and share this with them, is something I'll never forget." 🏆 head coach Greg McDermott elaborates on what it means to win a share of the conference in front of the home crowd ⬇️— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX)Creighton's Ty-Shon Alexander holds the Big East Championship trophy after defeating Seton Hall at CHI Health Center on Saturday, March 07, 2020.Creighton's Ty-Shon Alexander, left, and Head Coach Greg McDermott have a moment on the court after winning the Big East regular championship against Seton Hall at CHI Health Center on Saturday, March 07, 2020.Creighton's Damien Jefferson throws down a dunk against Seton Hall during their game on Saturday.Creighton's Ty-Shon Alexander scores against Seton Hall during their game on Saturday.Seton Hall's Myles Powell collides with Creighton's Kelvin Jones during their game on Saturday.Creighton's Mitch Ballock celebrates two-points against Seton Hall at CHI Health Center on Saturday, March 07, 2020.Fans rush the court as Creighton defeats Seton Hall to claim the regular season Big East conference championship on Saturday.Fans celebrate as Creighton defeats Seton Hall to claim the regular season Big East conference championship on Saturday.Seton Hall's Sandro Mamukelashvili celebrates a first-half three pointed against Creighton at CHI Health Center on Saturday, March 07, 2020.Creighton's Denzel Mahoney shoots over Seton Hall's Jared Rhoden at CHI Health Center on Saturday, March 07, 2020.Creighton's Marcus Zegarowski shoots a three-point basket over Seton Hall's Jared Rhoden at CHI Health Center on Saturday, March 07, 2020.Creighton's Christian Bishop and Marcus Zegarowski pressure Seton Hall's Quincy McKnight during their game on Saturday.Junior Damien Jefferson, carrying the Big East championship trophy, interrupts coach Greg McDermott's postgame TV interview following Creighton's 77-60 victory over Seton Hall. The win clinched a share of the regular-season conference title for CU.Creighton's Denzel Mahoney hugs Head Coach Greg McDermott after defeating Seton Hall at CHI Health Center on Saturday, March 07, 2020.Creighton's Christian Bishop celebrates defeating Seton Hall for the Big East regular season championship at CHI Health Center on Saturday, March 07, 2020.Creighton's Damien Jefferson grabs a rebound against Seton Hall at CHI Health Center on Saturday, March 07, 2020.Creighton's Jordan Scurry celebrates the closing seconds against Seton Hall at CHI Health Center on Saturday, March 07, 2020.Creighton's Kelvin Jones reacts to getting called for a flagrant foul against Seton Hall at CHI Health Center on Saturday, March 07, 2020.Seton Hall's Sandro Mamukelashvili is held back by teammateShavar Reynolds after getting into shoving match against Creighton at CHI Health Center on Saturday, March 07, 2020.The Creighton bench celebrates a second half three-point basket against Seton Hall at CHI Health Center on Saturday, March 07, 2020.Fans rush the court after Creighton defeated Seton Hall for the Big East regular season championship at CHI Health Center on Saturday, March 07, 2020. The mascot Billy Bluejay is standing on the hoop.Creighton's Marcus Zegarowski sinks a three point basket in front of Seton Hall's Quincy McKnight in the second half at CHI Health Center on Saturday, March 07, 2020.Creighton's Marcus Zegarowski celebrates a second half three pointer against Seton Hall on Saturday.Creighton's Ty-Shon Alexander is greeted by Marcus Zegarowski after hitting a three pointer against Seton Hall on Saturday.Creighton's bench does a little dancing late against Seton Hall on Saturday.Creighton's Christian Bishop celebrates a play against Seton Hall at CHI Health Center on Saturday, March 07, 2020.Fans celebrate with players after Creighton defeated Seton Hall to claim the Big East regular season championship on Saturday.Creighton players hoist the trophy after claiming the Big East regular season championship on Saturday.A new banner is lowered at CHI Health Center after Creighton defeated Seton Hall to claim the Big East regular season championship on Saturday.Creighton's Christian Bishop celebrates while cutting the net after the Bluejays beat Seton Hall to claim the Big East regular season championship on Saturday.Creighton's Mitch Ballock cuts down the net after the Bluejays defeated Seton Hall to claim the Big East regular season championship on Saturday.Creighton head coach Greg McDermott holds up the net after the Bluejays defeated Seton Hall to claim the Big East regular season championship on Saturday.From left: Creighton's Jett Canfield, Christian Bishop and Damien Jefferson celebrate their win over Seton Hall for the Big East regular-season championship at CHI Health Center in Omaha on March 7, 2020.Creighton's Christian Bishop grabs a rebound in front of Seton Hall's Sandro Mamukelashvili at CHI Health Center on Saturday, March 07, 2020.Creighton's Kelvin Jones gets tangled up with Seton Hall's Romaro Gill while Gill was trying to dunk the ball at CHI Health Center on Saturday, March 07, 2020.Creighton Head Coach Greg McDermott summons Ty-Shon Alexander over to the bench after subbing him out in the first half against Seton Hall at CHI Health Center on Saturday, March 07, 2020.A member of the Creighton dance team waves during pregame introductions before the Bluejays faced Seton Hall on Saturday in Omaha.Creighton and Seton Hall stand for the national anthem before their game on Saturday.Creighton and Seton Hall tip off their game on Saturday in Omaha.Creighton is introduced before tipoff against Seton Hall on Saturday.John and Jackie Ayler from Eudora, Kansas got to the arena at 11 am before being allowed to their seats at noon to watch Creighton and Seton Hall warm up at CHI Health Center on Saturday, March 07, 2020. They used to be neighbors with Mitch Ballock's family and drove up from Kansas to see him play.Creighton's Ty-Shon Alexander holds the Big East Championship trophy after defeating Seton Hall at CHI Health Center on Saturday, March 07, 2020.Creighton's Ty-Shon Alexander, left, and Head Coach Greg McDermott have a moment on the court after winning the Big East regular championship against Seton Hall at CHI Health Center on Saturday, March 07, 2020.Creighton's Damien Jefferson throws down a dunk against Seton Hall during their game on Saturday.Creighton's Ty-Shon Alexander scores against Seton Hall during their game on Saturday.Seton Hall's Myles Powell collides with Creighton's Kelvin Jones during their game on Saturday.Creighton's Mitch Ballock celebrates two-points against Seton Hall at CHI Health Center on Saturday, March 07, 2020.Fans rush the court as Creighton defeats Seton Hall to claim the regular season Big East conference championship on Saturday.Fans celebrate as Creighton defeats Seton Hall to claim the regular season Big East conference championship on Saturday.Seton Hall's Sandro Mamukelashvili celebrates a first-half three pointed against Creighton at CHI Health Center on Saturday, March 07, 2020.Creighton's Denzel Mahoney shoots over Seton Hall's Jared Rhoden at CHI Health Center on Saturday, March 07, 2020.Creighton's Marcus Zegarowski shoots a three-point basket over Seton Hall's Jared Rhoden at CHI Health Center on Saturday, March 07, 2020.Creighton's Christian Bishop and Marcus Zegarowski pressure Seton Hall's Quincy McKnight during their game on Saturday.Junior Damien Jefferson, carrying the Big East championship trophy, interrupts coach Greg McDermott's postgame TV interview following Creighton's 77-60 victory over Seton Hall. The win clinched a share of the regular-season conference title for CU.Creighton's Denzel Mahoney hugs Head Coach Greg McDermott after defeating Seton Hall at CHI Health Center on Saturday, March 07, 2020.Creighton's Christian Bishop celebrates defeating Seton Hall for the Big East regular season championship at CHI Health Center on Saturday, March 07, 2020.Creighton's Damien Jefferson grabs a rebound against Seton Hall at CHI Health Center on Saturday, March 07, 2020.Creighton's Jordan Scurry celebrates the closing seconds against Seton Hall at CHI Health Center on Saturday, March 07, 2020.Creighton's Kelvin Jones reacts to getting called for a flagrant foul against Seton Hall at CHI Health Center on Saturday, March 07, 2020.Seton Hall's Sandro Mamukelashvili is held back by teammateShavar Reynolds after getting into shoving match against Creighton at CHI Health Center on Saturday, March 07, 2020.The Creighton bench celebrates a second half three-point basket against Seton Hall at CHI Health Center on Saturday, March 07, 2020.Fans rush the court after Creighton defeated Seton Hall for the Big East regular season championship at CHI Health Center on Saturday, March 07, 2020. The mascot Billy Bluejay is standing on the hoop.Creighton's Marcus Zegarowski sinks a three point basket in front of Seton Hall's Quincy McKnight in the second half at CHI Health Center on Saturday, March 07, 2020.Creighton's Marcus Zegarowski celebrates a second half three pointer against Seton Hall on Saturday.Creighton's Ty-Shon Alexander is greeted by Marcus Zegarowski after hitting a three pointer against Seton Hall on Saturday.Creighton's bench does a little dancing late against Seton Hall on Saturday.Creighton's Christian Bishop celebrates a play against Seton Hall at CHI Health Center on Saturday, March 07, 2020.Fans celebrate with players after Creighton defeated Seton Hall to claim the Big East regular season championship on Saturday.Creighton players hoist the trophy after claiming the Big East regular season championship on Saturday.A new banner is lowered at CHI Health Center after Creighton defeated Seton Hall to claim the Big East regular season championship on Saturday.Creighton's Christian Bishop celebrates while cutting the net after the Bluejays beat Seton Hall to claim the Big East regular season championship on Saturday.Creighton's Mitch Ballock cuts down the net after the Bluejays defeated Seton Hall to claim the Big East regular season championship on Saturday.Creighton head coach Greg McDermott holds up the net after the Bluejays defeated Seton Hall to claim the Big East regular season championship on Saturday.From left: Creighton's Jett Canfield, Christian Bishop and Damien Jefferson celebrate their win over Seton Hall for the Big East regular-season championship at CHI Health Center in Omaha on March 7, 2020.Creighton's Christian Bishop grabs a rebound in front of Seton Hall's Sandro Mamukelashvili at CHI Health Center on Saturday, March 07, 2020.Creighton's Kelvin Jones gets tangled up with Seton Hall's Romaro Gill while Gill was trying to dunk the ball at CHI Health Center on Saturday, March 07, 2020.Creighton Head Coach Greg McDermott summons Ty-Shon Alexander over to the bench after subbing him out in the first half against Seton Hall at CHI Health Center on Saturday, March 07, 2020.A member of the Creighton dance team waves during pregame introductions before the Bluejays faced Seton Hall on Saturday in Omaha.Creighton and Seton Hall stand for the national anthem before their game on Saturday.Creighton and Seton Hall tip off their game on Saturday in Omaha.Creighton is introduced before tipoff against Seton Hall on Saturday.John and Jackie Ayler from Eudora, Kansas got to the arena at 11 am before being allowed to their seats at noon to watch Creighton and Seton Hall warm up at CHI Health Center on Saturday, March 07, 2020. They used to be neighbors with Mitch Ballock's family and drove up from Kansas to see him play., 402-473-9585,Get local news delivered to your inbox!Creighton's Ty-Shon Alexander holds the Big East Championship trophy.Creighton's Marcus Zegarowski sinks a three point basket in front of Seton Hall's Quincy McKnight.{{title}}{{summary}}You don't have any notifications.Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device.Topics

Get local news delivered to your inbox!Please subscribe to keep reading. You can cancel at any time.Loading&amp;hellp;{{title}}{{description}}{{banner}}(renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax){{tagline}}{{special_title}}{{html}}You are the owner of this article.You have permission to edit this article.|© 2022 Lee EnterprisesShare ThisNo. 11 Creighton defeats No. 8 Seton Hall to earn share of program's first Big East titleShare thisMarcus Zegarowski sat quietly on the end of the Creighton bench, resting his right arm on the seat next to him as his eyes...

No. 11 Creighton defeats No. 8 Seton Hall to earn share of program's first Big East title

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