Aztecs Rout Creighton 83-52 In Las Vegas
The Aztecs hand the Bluejays their worst loss in eighteen years.
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Creighton has played over 600 games since losing by such a margin.
Las Vegas, NV- The San Diego State Aztecs (7-0, 0-0 MWC) entered the game with knowledge that the Creighton Bluejays (4-2, 0-0 Big East) a top-twenty offense and a dangerous perimeter shot. They had no disillusions that Creighton can be formidable.
Yet, the Aztecs effectively controlled their match against Creighton from start to finish, and exhibited a seemingly endlessly deep bench, with every player practically playing to their full potential. And for anybody who watched the game, it was clear: this was no mere win. This was a serious rout.
The Aztecs (7-0) advance to Friday’s 5 p.m. championship against Iowa, which upset No. 12 Texas Tech 72-61 in the first semi.
After leading by one or two possessions for much of the first period, the Aztecs came alive and went on an 18-0 run against the Bluejays late in the first half and entered the half leading 40-25.
Malachi Flynn, Matt Mitchell and Yanni Wetzell played brilliantly, in contrast to everybody else who played incredibly well.
Flynn had a performance that reinforces the argument that he could be the very best player in the Mountain West. The Washington State transfer managed 21 points on 7-of-11 shooting to go, along with three assists and two steals. At times it appeared that Flynn couldn’t miss.
Matt Mitchell managed 16 points on just seven shots. He went 3 of 3 from behind the arc, as well as pulling off a windmill while being fouled under the rim.
Yanni Wetzell contributed 15 points on eight shots.
Jordan Schakel registered 13 points including two straight 3s inside of 30 seconds.
Also impressive, KJ Feagin buried a 3 from Stefan Curry range behind the arc.
The Aztecs shot 55.8 percent overall, including a staggering 61.1% on three pointers hitting 11 of 18.
The Bluejays are known to be a formidable 15th in the nation in 3-point accuracy at 41.5 percent. The Aztecs held them to 4 of 23 for the night.
Coach Brian Dutcher is pretty jazzed about his bench, and for the second straight game, he went 10 deep before ten minutes in.
In the second half, Dutcher didn’t make too many adjustments initially. Back-to-back 3s from Flynn and Schakel caused the Aztecs to expand the lead well into the 20’s and Creighton coach Greg McDermott couldn’t find a way to stop the onslaught despite timely time out’s.
In the end, after nearly every Aztec played, they walked away with a 31-point win, at 83-52.
Like the players who are coming into their own, Coach Dutcher seems to be doing the same. In his debut, many games occurred where he seemed to let things get out of hand. In this game, he was perfect with adjustments and time-outs to kill any Creighton momentum.
This is the Brian Dutcher we’ve all been waiting for.
SDSU vs. Iowa
Friday: 5 p.m. at Orleans Arena, Las Vegas
On the air: Fox Sports 1; 1360-AM, 101.5-FM
Records: SDSU is 7-0; Iowa is 5-1.
Series history: This is their first meeting.
Hawkeyes Starting Five: They are based around 6-11, 260-pound center Luka Garza, leader of the Big Ten in scoring (22.2) and third in rebounding (10.2). He is flanked by Connor McCaffery (the coach’s son), Joe Weiskamp , CJ Fredrick, a clutch perimeter shooter and Jordan Bohannon. A three-year starter, Bohannon had hip surgery in May and considered redshirting. He is now starting.