Whether or not a team is going to play deep into March can often be determined by how they perform in December, with conference play fast approaching. The Bluejays were able to finish off nonconference play strong, taking their final nonconference game over the Utah Tech Trailblazers 92-69. This gave the Bluejays a three-game win streak and an 8-5 record overall.
“We’re in such a better place than we were ten days ago, and I’m really proud of the guys for that,” head coach Greg McDermott said. “I think they bought into each other a little bit more and bought into what we are asking them to do. We’re keeping the game a little simpler than before, and the results have been better because of that.”
“We’re turning good shots into great shots and keeping the ball moving,” senior guard Josh Dix said. “I think that shows that we are shooting a lot better from the field because we’re getting open shots.”
Coming as heavy favorites in this game, it was important for the Bluejays to get out to a fast start. The Bluejays were able to accomplish this goal, getting out to an early 17-5 lead. Seven of these points came from junior Isaac Traudt, who ended the game with thirteen points.
“We followed the game plan early,” sophomore guard Austin Swartz said. “[Coach McDermott] and the rest of the staff put in a great game plan so we did exactly what they told us and got some easy baskets.”
However, the Trailblazers were able to narrow the gap after Creighton got out to the early lead. Following an 11-5 run, the Trailblazers found themselves trailing 28-26 with 7:24 remaining in the first half.
“I thought our starting group did a great job of getting us out to the start we needed to,” McDermott said. “I did think we lapsed a little bit, and our defense got a little sloppy.”
However, the Bluejays were able to regain control for the rest of the first half. A three from Traudt gave the Bluejays their largest lead of the first half at 43-31 with thirty seconds left in the half. The Trailblazers responded with a three of their own to cut the deficit to 43-34 at halftime.
The beginning of the second half was tightly contested, with the Bluejays being unable to expand on their nine-point lead. However, a three-pointer from Dix kick-started a 7-0 run to bring the Bluejay lead to 58-42 with less than fifteen minutes remaining in the game.
The Bluejays were able to hang on to and extend this lead leading up to the four-minute media timeout. This was highlighted by a fastbreak layup by Swartz following a steal from Dix, who had a career high five steals. The Bluejays ended the game with 11 steals, including 8 in the second half alone.
“Our team has so many different guys, so having to guard different guys who do different things throughout the summer has helped me improve a lot in matchups. I can be more versatile and guard different positions.”
The Trailblazers were unable to close the gap in the final few minutes of the game. The Bluejays were able to win their final nonconference game 92-69.
“They’re very disciplined, and they have great positional length,” McDermott said. “I think as you watch this team over the course of the year, Utah Tech is going to win their fair share of games.”
This game marked a three-game win streak for the Bluejays after beginning the season 5-5. One of the key differences for the Bluejays has been the emergence of Austin Swartz, who has taken a larger role within the offense. After a game-high 19 points against the Trail Blazers, Swartz has now scored double figures in five of the last six games.
“I feel good, but it is even better that we are going into a break with three wins in a row,” Swartz said. “That’s what is most important, and I can’t do this if my teammates don’t put me in position to score.”
The Bluejays will now have a break before they return to the CHI Health Center for a conference showdown with the Butler Bulldogs. That game will begin at 8 p.m. on December 30 and will air on FS1.