Ballock, Mahoney help Creighton beat Arizona State 67-60
AP
Dec 22, 2019
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) Mitch Ballock made the biggest shot of the game, but he was not about taking credit.
Ballock's fourth 3-pointer gave Creighton Bluejays four-point lead with 56 seconds remaining, and his break-away dunk put the final touches on a 67-60 victory over Arizona State Sun Devils on Saturday night.
Ballock took a tipped pass from point guard Marcus Zegarowski and hit the decisive 3-pointer from the right wing.
''Marcus just draws so much attention getting downhill with his ability to create plays when he gets in the paint,'' Ballock said. ''He made a pass back. The ball happened to go in the hole.
''When you have guys who penetrate and get to the rim and can shoot the ball, it's hard to cover all of us. You have to pick and choose what you want to take away, and that gives me a lot of open looks.''
Ballock, who finished with 14 points, has made at least two threes in each of his last 11 games as Creighton (10-2) extended its winning streak to six games.
Denzel Mahoney also scored 14 points, Christian Bishop had all 12 of his points in the second half and Zegarowski had seven points and eight assists.
''The sign of a great point guard is to make that read when it counts, and he made a great read at that point,'' Creighton coach Greg McDermott said of the Zegarowski's pass that led to Ballock's final 3.
Romello White had a season-high 18 points and 12 rebounds for his fifth double-double and Alonzo Verge Jr. had 19 points for the Sun Devils (8-4), who have lost two straight after suffering a 96-56 loss to Saint Mary's on Wednesday.
Rob Edwards' dunk with 1:10 remaining cut Creighton's lead to 61-60, but the Sun Devils missed their final four - and six of their last seven -field goal attempts.
Creighton limited Arizona State to a season-low 35.4% shooting from the field. The Sun Devils shot 35.9% in their loss to St. Mary's.
''Even though it might not seem like it, we are more than capable of hitting shots,'' said Verge, who was 6 of 23 from the field.
Mahoney has 14 points in each of his two games with the Bluejays after gaining his eligibility at the conclusion of the first semester. He transferred from Southeast Missouri State during the 2017-18 season.
''Denzel is being who he is,'' McDermott said. ''We are being who we are. Now we have to try to blend the two of them together, and that will get better with time,''
DEEP HELP
Creighton has three players who have made at least 30 3-pointers this season and appear to have another more than capable long-range shooter in Denzel Mahoney, who has made two 3-pointers in each of the two games he has played.
LOOKING FOR A FIT
Arizona State used its sixth starting lineup Saturday as it looks to find a cohesive mix. Injuries and a suspension have factored into the changes, too.
BIG PICTURE
Creighton: The perimeter-oriented Bluejays were ranked the top 20 in NCAA Division I in 3-point field goals per game and have shown they can play with the anyone, beating Texas Tech and and losing only to ranked teams Michigan and San Diego State. Their guards can score. The test will be how they handle the physicality of Big East play as they look to return to the NCAA tournament after a two-year absence.
Arizona State: Alonzo Verge Jr. has taken over the outside scoring load the last four games as the Sun Devils look to find consistent offense around guard Remy Martin and inside presence Romello White. The Sun Devils were shooting 42.9% from the field and 29.8% from three-point range (310th of the 350 Division I schools) entering the Creighton game.
UP NEXT
Creighton will play host to NAIA Midland on Saturday before hosting Marquette in the Big East opener on New Year's Day.
Arizona State will conclude nonconference play against Texas Southern on Saturday before hosting rival No. 16 Arizona in the Pac-12 opener Jan. 4.
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1st Half
CREI
Bluejays
30
ASU
Sun Devils
32
Time
Team
Play
Score
20:00
Jumpball received by Arizona State
19:39
Alonzo Verge missed floating jump shot
19:37
Defensive rebound by Mitch Ballock
19:21
Damien Jefferson missed floating jump shot
19:19
Defensive rebound by Rob Edwards
18:51
+2
Romello White made layup, assist by Remy Martin
0-2
18:36
Bad pass turnover on Mitch Ballock, stolen by Taeshon Cherry
18:31
Bad pass turnover on Alonzo Verge
18:18
Marcus Zegarowski missed 3-pt. jump shot
18:16
Defensive rebound by Taeshon Cherry
17:58
Alonzo Verge missed driving layup
17:56
Defensive rebound by Mitch Ballock
17:41
Damien Jefferson missed layup, blocked by Romello White
17:39
Offensive rebound by Damien Jefferson
17:38
+2
Damien Jefferson made dunk
2-2
17:16
+2
Romello White made layup
2-4
17:00
Personal foul on Rob Edwards
16:47
Bad pass turnover on Marcus Zegarowski, stolen by Remy Martin
16:40
Remy Martin missed 3-pt. jump shot
16:38
Offensive rebound by Romello White
16:37
Romello White missed tip-in
16:37
Offensive rebound by Romello White
16:37
+2
Romello White made dunk
2-6
16:23
Ty-Shon Alexander missed layup
16:21
Defensive rebound by Alonzo Verge
16:15
Personal foul on Marcus Zegarowski
16:05
Romello White missed layup
16:03
Defensive rebound by Denzel Mahoney
15:55
Denzel Mahoney missed jump shot
15:53
Defensive rebound by Romello White
15:41
+3
Alonzo Verge made 3-pt. jump shot
2-9
15:26
Denzel Mahoney missed layup, blocked by Taeshon Cherry
15:24
Defensive rebound by Taeshon Cherry
15:14
Rob Edwards missed 3-pt. jump shot
15:12
Defensive rebound by Marcus Zegarowski
15:02
+3
Denzel Mahoney made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Marcus Zegarowski
5-9
14:45
Alonzo Verge missed jump shot
14:43
Defensive rebound by Ty-Shon Alexander
14:38
+3
Denzel Mahoney made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Ty-Shon Alexander
8-9
14:10
Taeshon Cherry missed 3-pt. jump shot
14:10
Defensive rebound by Mitch Ballock
14:10
Bad pass turnover on Mitch Ballock, stolen by Alonzo Verge
14:10
Personal foul on Ty-Shon Alexander
13:50
Jaelen House missed 3-pt. jump shot
13:48
Defensive rebound by Kelvin Jones
13:33
Ty-Shon Alexander missed 3-pt. jump shot
13:31
Defensive rebound by Rob Edwards
13:17
Rob Edwards missed 3-pt. jump shot
13:15
Defensive rebound by Kelvin Jones
13:04
Denzel Mahoney missed 3-pt. jump shot
13:02
Defensive rebound by Romello White
12:50
Bad pass turnover on Jaelen House
12:32
Offensive foul on Ty-Shon Alexander
12:32
Turnover on Ty-Shon Alexander
12:10
+3
Khalid Thomas made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Jaelen House
8-12
12:03
Mitch Ballock missed 3-pt. jump shot
12:01
Defensive rebound by Remy Martin
11:54
Lost ball turnover on Remy Martin
11:38
Shereef Mitchell missed jump shot
11:36
Defensive rebound by Arizona State
11:18
Khalid Thomas missed 3-pt. jump shot
11:16
Defensive rebound by Shereef Mitchell
11:15
Personal foul on Elias Valtonen
11:01
Traveling violation turnover on Marcus Zegarowski
10:49
Personal foul on Shereef Mitchell
10:43
Jaelen House missed 3-pt. jump shot
10:41
Offensive rebound by Mickey Mitchell
10:38
Offensive foul on Jaelen House
10:38
Turnover on Jaelen House
10:16
+2
Marcus Zegarowski made finger-roll layup
10-12
9:43
Shot clock violation turnover on Arizona State
9:32
+2
Marcus Zegarowski made running Jump Shot
12-12
9:13
Traveling violation turnover on Jaelen House
9:03
Denzel Mahoney missed finger-roll layup
9:01
Defensive rebound by Remy Martin
8:51
+2
Alonzo Verge made jump shot
12-14
8:37
Shooting foul on Taeshon Cherry
8:37
+1
Denzel Mahoney made 1st of 2 free throws
13-14
8:37
+1
Denzel Mahoney made 2nd of 2 free throws
14-14
8:25
Bad pass turnover on Remy Martin, stolen by Kelvin Jones
8:14
Jumpball received by Creighton
8:02
+2
Kelvin Jones made jump shot
16-14
7:47
+2
Alonzo Verge made driving layup
16-16
7:47
Shooting foul on Mitch Ballock
7:46
Alonzo Verge missed free throw
7:46
Defensive rebound by Kelvin Jones
7:25
+2
Kelvin Jones made hook shot
18-16
7:08
+3
Taeshon Cherry made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Remy Martin
18-19
6:53
Personal foul on Taeshon Cherry
6:50
+2
Denzel Mahoney made fade-away jump shot
20-19
6:34
+3
Alonzo Verge made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Rob Edwards
20-22
6:26
Mitch Ballock missed 3-pt. jump shot
6:24
Defensive rebound by Elias Valtonen
6:14
Elias Valtonen missed reverse layup
6:12
Offensive rebound by Arizona State
6:12
Personal foul on Denzel Mahoney
5:53
+2
Alonzo Verge made jump shot, assist by Remy Martin
20-24
5:39
Christian Bishop missed reverse layup
5:37
Defensive rebound by Romello White
5:33
Traveling violation turnover on Remy Martin
5:23
Marcus Zegarowski missed floating jump shot
5:21
Defensive rebound by Romello White
5:11
Alonzo Verge missed jump shot
5:09
Offensive rebound by Romello White
5:06
+2
Romello White made dunk
20-26
5:00
Personal foul on Elias Valtonen
4:58
Lost ball turnover on Ty-Shon Alexander
4:44
Alonzo Verge missed driving layup
4:42
Offensive rebound by Romello White
4:42
+2
Romello White made dunk
20-28
4:26
+2
Denzel Mahoney made jump shot
22-28
4:01
Bad pass turnover on Alonzo Verge, stolen by Denzel Mahoney
3:50
Denzel Mahoney missed 3-pt. jump shot
3:48
Defensive rebound by Alonzo Verge
3:42
Alonzo Verge missed driving layup
3:40
Defensive rebound by Ty-Shon Alexander
3:27
Christian Bishop missed layup
3:25
Defensive rebound by Romello White
3:08
Remy Martin missed floating jump shot
3:06
Offensive rebound by Romello White
3:06
+2
Romello White made dunk
22-30
2:38
Ty-Shon Alexander missed 3-pt. jump shot
2:36
Defensive rebound by Romello White
2:24
Alonzo Verge missed dunk, blocked by Kelvin Jones
2:23
Defensive rebound by Creighton
2:07
+3
Ty-Shon Alexander made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Marcus Zegarowski
25-30
1:41
Alonzo Verge missed 3-pt. jump shot
1:39
Defensive rebound by Ty-Shon Alexander
1:26
Traveling violation turnover on Denzel Mahoney
1:11
+2
Alonzo Verge made driving layup
25-32
1:01
+3
Mitch Ballock made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Marcus Zegarowski
28-32
44.0
Remy Martin missed jump shot
42.0
Defensive rebound by Mitch Ballock
39.0
Denzel Mahoney missed 3-pt. jump shot
36.0
Offensive rebound by Creighton
33.0
+2
Denzel Mahoney made finger-roll layup
30-32
2.0
Alonzo Verge missed floating jump shot, blocked by Denzel Mahoney
1.0
Defensive rebound by Damien Jefferson
2nd Half
CREI
Bluejays
37
ASU
Sun Devils
28
Time
Team
Play
Score
19:44
Alonzo Verge missed fade-away jump shot
19:42
Offensive rebound by Romello White
19:38
+3
Remy Martin made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Romello White
30-35
19:22
+3
Mitch Ballock made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Damien Jefferson
33-35
18:58
Romello White missed hook shot
18:56
Defensive rebound by Damien Jefferson
18:47
+2
Christian Bishop made layup, assist by Marcus Zegarowski
35-35
18:28
Alonzo Verge missed floating jump shot
18:26
Defensive rebound by Christian Bishop
18:22
Personal foul on Remy Martin
18:11
+2
Christian Bishop made alley-oop shot, assist by Marcus Zegarowski
37-35
17:51
Rob Edwards missed running Jump Shot
17:49
Offensive rebound by Taeshon Cherry
17:47
+2
Taeshon Cherry made jump shot
37-37
17:26
+2
Marcus Zegarowski made jump shot
39-37
17:05
Alonzo Verge missed floating jump shot
17:03
Offensive rebound by Remy Martin
16:58
Personal foul on Mitch Ballock
16:46
+2
Remy Martin made floating jump shot
39-39
16:33
Jumpball received by Creighton
16:21
+2
Christian Bishop made alley-oop shot, assist by Marcus Zegarowski
41-39
15:52
Remy Martin missed 3-pt. jump shot
15:50
Defensive rebound by Mitch Ballock
15:41
Ty-Shon Alexander missed 3-pt. jump shot
15:39
Offensive rebound by Creighton
15:25
Damien Jefferson missed 3-pt. jump shot
15:23
Offensive rebound by Christian Bishop
15:18
Shooting foul on Remy Martin
15:18
+1
Ty-Shon Alexander made 1st of 2 free throws
42-39
15:18
+1
Ty-Shon Alexander made 2nd of 2 free throws
43-39
14:58
Taeshon Cherry missed 3-pt. jump shot
14:56
Defensive rebound by Christian Bishop
14:41
Ty-Shon Alexander missed jump shot
14:39
Defensive rebound by Jaelen House
14:27
Bad pass turnover on Remy Martin
14:08
+3
Mitch Ballock made 3-pt. jump shot
46-39
13:46
+3
Jaelen House made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Remy Martin
46-42
13:25
Offensive foul on Damien Jefferson
13:25
Turnover on Damien Jefferson
13:11
+3
Taeshon Cherry made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Remy Martin
46-45
12:42
Christian Bishop missed hook shot
12:40
Defensive rebound by Taeshon Cherry
12:31
Shooting foul on Christian Bishop
12:31
+1
Romello White made 1st of 2 free throws
46-46
12:31
+1
Romello White made 2nd of 2 free throws
46-47
12:17
Denzel Mahoney missed 3-pt. jump shot
12:15
Defensive rebound by Alonzo Verge
12:09
Alonzo Verge missed jump shot
12:07
Defensive rebound by Shereef Mitchell
11:43
+2
Kelvin Jones made layup
48-47
11:17
Personal foul on Denzel Mahoney
11:16
Remy Martin missed 3-pt. jump shot
11:14
Defensive rebound by Kelvin Jones
10:51
Marcus Zegarowski missed 3-pt. jump shot
10:49
Offensive rebound by Denzel Mahoney
10:49
Personal foul on Taeshon Cherry
10:43
Denzel Mahoney missed 3-pt. jump shot
10:41
Defensive rebound by Arizona State
10:24
Jaelen House missed jump shot
10:23
Defensive rebound by Creighton
10:23
Personal foul on Romello White
10:00
Traveling violation turnover on Marcus Zegarowski
9:36
+2
Romello White made layup, assist by Remy Martin
48-49
9:21
Denzel Mahoney missed layup
9:19
Offensive rebound by Denzel Mahoney
9:16
Mitch Ballock missed 3-pt. jump shot
9:14
Defensive rebound by Jaelen House
9:02
Elias Valtonen missed 3-pt. jump shot
9:00
Defensive rebound by Mitch Ballock
8:54
+2
Damien Jefferson made layup, assist by Mitch Ballock
50-49
8:25
Jaelen House missed 3-pt. jump shot
8:23
Defensive rebound by Christian Bishop
8:17
Marcus Zegarowski missed 3-pt. jump shot
8:15
Offensive rebound by Christian Bishop
8:03
Marcus Zegarowski missed 3-pt. jump shot
8:01
Offensive rebound by Damien Jefferson
8:01
+2
Damien Jefferson made dunk
52-49
7:35
Jaelen House missed reverse layup
7:33
Defensive rebound by Ty-Shon Alexander
7:05
+2
Damien Jefferson made jump shot, assist by Marcus Zegarowski
54-49
6:46
Remy Martin missed 3-pt. jump shot
6:44
Defensive rebound by Marcus Zegarowski
6:37
Shooting foul on Rob Edwards
6:38
Damien Jefferson missed 1st of 2 free throws
6:38
+1
Damien Jefferson made 2nd of 2 free throws
55-49
6:25
Personal foul on Christian Bishop
6:16
Remy Martin missed finger-roll layup
6:14
Offensive rebound by Romello White
6:14
+2
Romello White made tip-in
55-51
5:57
Personal foul on Alonzo Verge
5:48
Ty-Shon Alexander missed jump shot
5:46
Defensive rebound by Remy Martin
5:42
Shooting foul on Marcus Zegarowski
5:44
+1
Alonzo Verge made 1st of 2 free throws
55-52
5:44
+1
Alonzo Verge made 2nd of 2 free throws
55-53
5:29
+2
Christian Bishop made alley-oop shot, assist by Ty-Shon Alexander
57-53
5:12
Personal foul on Marcus Zegarowski
5:12
Remy Martin missed free throw
5:12
Defensive rebound by Christian Bishop
4:59
Marcus Zegarowski missed floating jump shot
4:57
Defensive rebound by Romello White
4:47
Shooting foul on Mitch Ballock
4:47
+1
Alonzo Verge made 1st of 2 free throws
57-54
4:47
+1
Alonzo Verge made 2nd of 2 free throws
57-55
4:35
+2
Christian Bishop made layup, assist by Mitch Ballock
59-55
4:15
Offensive foul on Romello White
4:17
Turnover on Romello White
3:55
+2
Christian Bishop made alley-oop shot, assist by Mitch Ballock
61-55
3:45
Alonzo Verge missed 3-pt. jump shot
3:43
Defensive rebound by Marcus Zegarowski
3:33
Bad pass turnover on Marcus Zegarowski, stolen by Alonzo Verge
3:34
Personal foul on Ty-Shon Alexander
3:34
+1
Alonzo Verge made 1st of 2 free throws
61-56
3:34
Alonzo Verge missed 2nd of 2 free throws
3:34
Defensive rebound by Damien Jefferson
3:10
Marcus Zegarowski missed 3-pt. jump shot
3:08
Defensive rebound by Remy Martin
3:04
+2
Remy Martin made jump shot
61-58
2:50
Christian Bishop missed layup, blocked by Romello White
2:48
Defensive rebound by Taeshon Cherry
2:33
Alonzo Verge missed jump shot
2:31
Defensive rebound by Christian Bishop
2:11
Bad pass turnover on Marcus Zegarowski, stolen by Remy Martin
2:06
Remy Martin missed 3-pt. jump shot
2:05
Defensive rebound by Creighton
1:42
Ty-Shon Alexander missed turnaround jump shot
1:40
Defensive rebound by Alonzo Verge
1:10
+2
Rob Edwards made dunk, assist by Romello White
61-60
56.0
+3
Mitch Ballock made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Marcus Zegarowski
64-60
42.0
Alonzo Verge missed layup, blocked by Christian Bishop
40.0
Defensive rebound by Damien Jefferson
30.0
Personal foul on Alonzo Verge
35.0
+1
Marcus Zegarowski made 1st of 2 free throws
65-60
30.0
Marcus Zegarowski missed 2nd of 2 free throws
30.0
Defensive rebound by Taeshon Cherry
27.0
Rob Edwards missed 3-pt. jump shot
25.0
Offensive rebound by Arizona State
23.0
Alonzo Verge missed 3-pt. jump shot
21.0
Defensive rebound by Christian Bishop
17.0
+2
Mitch Ballock made dunk, assist by Christian Bishop
67-60
10.0
Remy Martin missed 3-pt. jump shot, blocked by Christian Bishop