On Sunday, Dec. 4, the annual intrastate meeting between the Creighton Bluejays and Nebraska University Cornhuskers took place. Nebraska made the short trip to Omaha looking to get back on track after a tough loss to the Wake Forest University Demon Deacons in the Big 10/ACC Challenge, while the Jays were coming off a thrilling come from behind victory over the San Diego State University Aztecs in the MVC/MWC Challenge.

Creighton entered the day ranked No. 22 in the country by the coaches and surrounded by hype. But the Huskers refused to roll over for the Jays and provided Creighton with one of its most difficult tests of the young season.

The game got off to a sloppy start as both teams were turning the ball over and struggling to put the ball through the hoop. Despite the game being played at a pace that favored Nebraska’s style of play, Creighton began pulling away from the Huskers around the halfway point of the first period and built up a nine-point lead after a pair of free throws by senior point guard Antoine Young with 3:04 remaining.

But Nebraska went on an 8-2 run to close out the half and make it a three-point game at the intermission, 32-29.

Sophomore forward Doug McDermott got off to a slow start by his standards, but he still finished the first half with seven points and four rebounds, Nebraska was paced by point guard Bo Spencer, a transfer from Louisiana State University, who scored 12 points and made every shot he attempted.

The second half got under way and the teams fought back and forth until Nebraska made its run. The Huskers tied the game at 37-37 at the 15:02 mark before hitting a 3-pointer and knocking down a pair of free throws to take a five pint lead. Husker chants were ringing out from the crowd as the Creighton fans had been rendered mute. But the Nebraska run would end there.

An offensive rebound put-back by McDermott sparked a 17-3 Creighton run, which featured great plays on both ends by Creighton and 10 big points from McDermott. The Huskers contributed to the run as well with a personal foul followed by two technical fouls (one by forward Toney McCray and the other by head coach Doc Sadler) that resulted in six straight free throws for Creighton.  The crowd grew increasingly louder with every Creighton basket and defensive stop, and exploded when the technicals were issued.

“That’s the loudest I’ve heard the century Link Center.  I want to thank all the fans for coming out today,” McDermott said.

The technicals resulted in a six-point Creighton lead and all the momentum swinging the Jays’ way. Creighton never looked back after that point and went on to win 76-66.

This was CU’s poorest offensive outing of the season. For the first time all season the Jays finished with more turnovers than assists.

“For a lot of the game we played at their pace,” junior guard Grant Gibbs said.

Nebraska is an excellent defensive team, however, and the Jays were still able to score 76 points on 51 percent shooting.

Doug McDermott exploded in the second half to finish with 24 points and 12 rebounds.

“I think I got going when I got to the line. Got my confidence up,” McDermott said.

When asked about his son’s performance, Greg McDermott responded, “Probably what I’m most proud of is he’s letting the game come to him.”

Bo Spencer put on a show for Nebraska, scoring 29 points and converting 10 of his 16 field goal attempts. Toney McCray also provided a spark off the bench with 15 points and five rebounds for the Huskers.

But Creighton and junior center Gregory Echenique held Nebraska’s second-leading scorer, Jorge Brian Diaz, to just 10 points and 12 shots and only two other Huskers scored.

“I think this is a really good win for us,” said Greg McDermott.

The Associated Press and voting coaches agreed with McDermott as the victory coupled with the road win against San Diego State were impressive enough to move Creighton up to No. 17 in the USA Today Coaches’ poll and 19 in the AP poll.

Creighton’s next game is on the road against the St. Joseph’s University Hawks. Creighton’s current president, Timothy R. Lannon S.J., served as president for St. Joe’s before coming to Creighton and will be inducted into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame at halftime of the game. Tip off is set for 11 a.m.