McDermott again scores 30 as No. 16 Creighton prevails
BY Associated Press
Monday, December 10, 2012
12/10/12 at 4:38 AM
Doug McDermott scored 30 points for No. 16 Creighton, which broke away late in the first half and beat Akron 77-61 on Sunday in Omaha, Neb.
McDermott, who made a career-high six 3-pointers, also had 30 points against Wisconsin last month and on seven other occasions in his career for the Bluejays (9-1).
Zeke Marshall and Nick Harney both had 12 points for Akron (4-3), which is 0-25 against ranked opponents since becoming a Division I program in 1980-81. The Zips, who came in averaging almost 10 3-pointers a game, made a season-low four on 16 attempts and were held to their lowest point total.
McDermott needed only eight attempts to make his six 3-pointers, but his best shot of the day might have come after the 7-foot Marshall was isolated on him.
McDermott bided his time with Marshall guarding him from behind. McDermott made a sudden move, shed Marshall and had a clear path to the basket for a layup. The smooth move brought many of the 16,310 fans to their feet.
Two possessions later, McDermott passed up a shot and sent a pass to Grant Gibbs in the lane for a dunk.
After Akron closed within three points late in the half, the Bluejays used an 11-2 flurry that Will Artino finished with a jumper and tip-in for a 43-31 halftime lead.
The Bluejays never let Akron within nine points the rest of the way.
The Bluejays were without Josh Jones for a second straight game. Jones, the first guard off the bench, fainted before Thursday's game at Nebraska and has been undergoing medical tests.
Jones, who watched the game in his warmups, had an infected heart valve replaced in 2007 during his senior year in high school.
No. 21 UNLV 76, California 75: In Berkeley, Calif., Quintrell Thomas grabbed Anthony Marshall's airball under the basket and scored on a short hook shot with 1.2 seconds remaining to lift UNLV over California.
The Runnin' Rebels led for most of the second half but trailed 75-74 following two free throws by Cal's Justin Cobbs with 11.9 seconds left. Marshall then rushed a long jumper that Thomas alertly grabbed and flipped in.
Thomas was fouled on the play but missed the free throw.
Justin Hawkins then blocked a 3-point attempt by Cobbs from midcourt as the buzzer sounded.
Anthony Bennett had career-highs of 25 points and 13 rebounds while leading UNLV (7-1) to its sixth straight win. Allen Crabbe scored 18 for California.
