Creighton rallies, gets overtime victory over San Diego State

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Trey Alexander still being in the game late in regulation and overtime was improbable enough for Creighton.

Never mind the freshman making the tying and winning plays while playing with four fouls since early in the second half.

Alexander converted a go-ahead, three-point play late in overtime, and the Bluejays rallied for a 72-69 victory over San Diego State in an NCAA Tournament opener Thursday night.

Creighton hadn’t led since the first five minutes of the game when Alexander, who also had the tying bucket late in regulation, drove right and was fouled on the layup. The free throw put Creighton ahead 71-69 with 1:08 remaining.

Alexander’s role has increased since Ryan Nembhard, the Big East freshman of the year, injured his wrist Feb. 23 and required season-ending surgery. Alexander took over as the starting point guard.

“He’s been put into a very difficult role at midseason and what we’re asking him to do and what teams are trying to do to take him out of play,” coach Greg McDermott said. “And he’s handled it not like a freshman. He’s handled it like a veteran.”

Down by two, the Aztecs had the ball with 4.3 seconds left when Matt Bradley inbounded to Aguek Arop, then ran around him for the handoff. Bradley lost control of the ball before getting a shot off, and Creighton secured it with 0.8 to go.

Ryan Kalkbrenner had 16 points and 10 rebounds before leaving with an apparent left leg injury in overtime. Alexander scored 18 points with five assists and had the ball in his hands plenty in crunch time as the Bluejays scored the last nine points of regulation and the last six of OT.

“I think it has a lot to do with first off (McDermott) trusting in me and then also my teammates,” Alexander said.