Baylor Scheierman Rises to Occasion, Leading Creighton Over Marquette in Key Big East Matchup – Sky Bulletin
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In a vital Big East showdown, Creighton’s Baylor Scheierman shone brightly during his final appearance at the CHI Health Center, propelling the No. 12 Bluejays to an 89-75 win over No. 5 Marquette on Saturday. Scheierman, who’s in the running for Big East player of the year, delivered a stellar 26-point performance topped with a critical burst of 3-pointers that helped seal the game.
Marquette, missing key players like guard Tyler Kolek and big man Oso Ighodaro due to injury and illness respectively, struggled to contain Scheierman, particularly in the clutch when he rattled off three consecutive 3-pointers, stretching a tight two-point lead into a comfortable margin.
“I don’t even got to look!” Scheierman reportedly exclaimed to the crowd, showcasing his confidence after his third straight basket from beyond the arc. He finished the game with 16 rebounds, contributing to his eighth double-double in the past 10 games—a conference-leading 14th overall.
For Scheierman, the day was steeped in emotion as it marked his last game in Nebraska, surrounded by friends and family. The win helped ensure Creighton remains in contention for the No. 2 seed heading into the conference tournament. This season, Creighton notched victories against two top-five teams for the first time, including a previous upset over then-No. 1 UConn on Feb. 20.
Despite the loss and the absence of Kolek and Ighodaro, Marquette coach Shaka Smart expressed pride in his team’s perseverance and strength. Though Kolek’s return timetable remains uncertain, Creighton coach Greg McDermott voiced his hope for Kolek’s swift recovery and praised his significant contribution to Marquette’s success.
Other Creighton players also stepped up, with Ryan Kalkbrenner scoring 19 points and Trey Alexander combining 18 points with 11 assists. The Bluejays took a moment to honor their 1974 Sweet 16 team during the game’s intermission.
Despite the setbacks, Marquette’s Kam Jones delivered with 23 points, supported by David Joplin’s 21 points. Stevie Mitchell also made a notable contribution with 15 points and nine rebounds.
Scheierman’s decisive second-half performance spurred Creighton to victory, highlighting his importance to the team’s success. The Bluejays ultimately dominated the last stretch of the game, powered by Scheierman’s scoring outburst.
BIG PICTURE
Marquette faces no dishonor in losing to Creighton on the road under the tough circumstances of their sidelined players. They’ve guaranteed themselves a first-round bye in the tournament and will finish no worse than fourth in the conference.
Creighton’s fortunes rest on Scheierman, whose late-game heroics have become emblematic of his season. His profound impact was once again on full display as he led his team to a pivotal win.
UP NEXT
Marquette will now prepare to take on No. 3 UConn at home on Wednesday. Creighton looks ahead to a road game against Villanova on Saturday, hoping to even the scales after an overtime loss in their previous encounter.
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The clash between Creighton and Marquette may have seemed lopsided due to the absence of key Marquette players, but Baylor Scheierman’s exhilarating performance demonstrated that individual brilliance can often tip the scales in high-stakes matchups. As both teams look ahead to their next challenges, Creighton rides the momentum of a significant win, while Marquette will seek to overcome adversity, and potentially bounce back with the return of their sidelined stars.
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