Creighton Survives Rhode Island

Via OWH, the Bluejays survive Rhode Island in their first round matchup of the NIT Tournament 74-73. Cavel Witter's 3 pointer from the corner with just 3 ticks remaining on the clock gave the Jays the victory. The Jays were down by 15 at the half, as many as 17 and tralied by 12 with just over 3 minutes remaining, but never gave up fighting. The smallest crowd in Creighton's five years, just 7,948 at the Qwest Center, witnessed one for the ages.

"Things looked pretty dismal for the Bluejays when Marquis Jones made a layup to give the Rams a 70-58 lead with 3:14 remaining. A 3-point basket by P'Allen Stinnett and his layup got Creighton within seven points, and Woodfox made a twisting 3-point shot to cut the deficit to 70-66 with 1:28 left.

Jones made two free throws at the 1:10 mark to push Rhode Island's lead back to six but Woodfox connected again from outside the arc to trim the Rams' lead to 72-69 with 1:03 remaining. Jimmy Baron missed a driving shot that Stinnett rebounded, and Witter made it a one-point game with two free throws with 13.3 seconds to play.

Rhode Island beat Creighton's press with a long pass to Jones, who was fouled by Witter as he drove to the basket. Jones, playing because sixth man Keith Cothran suffered an ankle injury earlier in the game, missed his first free-throw attempt but made the second for a 73-71 lead with 11.5 seconds remaining.

Rhode Island called timeout, allowing Creighton to set up one play. It was supposed to go to Stinnett, who took a pass from Witter on the left wing. Stinnett started to drive for the basket, pulled up for a shot and remembered what Witter had told him as they broke from the huddle after the timeout."

All Atlantic 10 conference G Will Daniels led RI with 16 points, while Woodfox and Stinnet led CU with 22 points apiece. CU will face teh winner of San Diego State and Florida, traveling to Florida if they win but staying at home if SD State topples the Gators.