Iowa State’s late push wasn’t enough to erase a deep hole, as Creighton survived an 83-80 exhibition battle after the Cyclones nearly stormed all the way back.
The Bluejays dictated the first half with sharp shooting from the perimeter and enough energy on the glass to keep Iowa State chasing. Creighton was up eight by the first media timeout, and although the Cyclones briefly nudged in front on a pair of Tre Singleton free throws at the 12:24 mark, that lead lasted only 26 seconds before the Bluejays took it back. Creighton carried a 48% shooting clip and a six-point cushion into halftime, helped by a 20-11 rebounding edge and nine made 3-pointers to Iowa State’s three.
The margin ballooned quickly after the break. Creighton stretched the lead to double digits within two minutes of the second half and hit its biggest advantage at 19 points with 10:30 left.
That’s when Iowa State finally found its footing. The Cyclones strung together an eight-point run and kept pressing, but Creighton answered with key 3-pointers down the stretch to keep the game out of reach.
Iowa State’s last chance, a 3-point attempt at the buzzer to tie it, missed.
Katrell Harmon paced Creighton with 16 points and a game-high six assists, while Austin Swartz, Wes Enis, and Hudson Greer also reached double figures. That quartet, along with Harmon, accounted for nine of Creighton’s 14 made 3-pointers.
The Bluejays shot 51 percent overall and 48 percent from deep, though 19 turnovers gave Iowa State an opening. The Cyclones turned those miscues into 24 points, including 18 in transition.
Iowa State got balanced scoring from a group that featured six players in double figures. Jamarion Batemon led the way with 15 points, while Leon Bond added 14, Taj Manning 13, Tre Singleton 12, and Jaquan Johnson 12.
Dominykas Pleta chipped in 10 points and a game-high seven rebounds. Singleton’s debut was a stat-stuffer: 12 points, four rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two blocks in 27 minutes.
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