BYU Basketball: Cougars Get Big Win in Omaha

BYU knocked off Creighton 77-65 in the Qwest Center Omaha, in front of crowd of 15, 532.

The Cougars’ win was just the 19th loss in Creighton’s (4-3) 120 games in their home building.

Jimmer Fredette scored just 13 points on five of 13 shooting, but got plenty of help from his teammates, including Brandon Davies who turned in a career performance with 24 points and six rebounds.

It was a remarkable performance, considering Davis sat much of the first half on the bench with three fouls then played the entire 20 minutes of the game without picking up his fourth.

It was also a huge improvement in play for the 6-9 sophomore forward, who has struggled during the early going of the season.

Though slowed by a shin injury, Jackson Emery stepped up as well with 13 points and six boards. Emery did not practice this week leading up to the game because of the injury.

True Freshman Kyle Collinsworth started in place of Emery and added 12 points and 10 rebounds to the cause, both season and career highs.

Overall, the Cougars shot 48 percent from the field and 37 percent from three; however, they struggled once again from the free throw line, shooting just 56 percent from the line.

Creighton was led by freshman phenom Doug McDermott, who also had a career night with 20 points and 12 rebounds in an effort to keep the Bluejays close. Creighton used the electricity of their home crowd to make several runs at BYU, who led virtually the entire game, but the Cougars were up to the task each time the Bluejays got close.

This win was the most impressive of the season for the Cougars, not only because it was the first true road win of the season in a hostile environment, but because it was a complete team win with multiple players stepping up. It also marks the third win in a row without the services of 6-9 forward Chris Collinsworth.

BYU is now 3-0 on their eight-game odyssey away from the Marriott Center. The Cougars will face Hawaii on Saturday in Energy Solutions Arena in Salt Lake City.