CBSSports.com wire reports
Dec. 10, 2011
PHILADELPHIA — Carl Jones scored 29 points, Ronald Roberts and Langston Galloway each had 12 and Saint Josephs spoiled No. 19 Creighton first week in the Top 25 in five years with an 80-71 win on Saturday.
Doug McDermott had 26 points and 10 rebounds for the Bluejays (7-1), who used an undefeated start to make The Associated Press Top 25 for the first time since the first two weeks of the 2006-07 season.
Led by Jones second-half surge, the Hawks (7-3) put a quick end to Creightons ranked fun.
Hard times had hit Hawk Hill the last two seasons. When Galloway lobbed an alley-oop pass to C.J. Aiken in the waning moments, the packed crowd in the cozy Fieldhouse erupted.
Student stormed the court in celebration and chanted “We Want Nova!” The Hawks play city rival Villanova next Saturday.
The up-tempo BlueJays raced to a perfect start behind McDermott and an offense averaging 87 points per game.
The Hawks never let them get running.
Jones, honored before the game for reaching 1,000 career points, gave the Hawks a double-digit cushion when he used a stutter-step to open a huge hole to drive for an uncontested layup and a 63-52 lead with 5:28 left. The Hawks rallied from an eight-point hole in the first half to lead at halftime and pull away late in the game.
McDermott was sensational from the floor and at 3-point range that kept the Bluejays competitive in a tough road game. But he had little help. Jahenns Manigat tied the game at 39 with a 3 midway through the second half. Creighton could not take the lead.
Jones converted a turnover into a three-point play to make it 44-39.
Jones also was unselfish, connecting with open teammates, attacked the boards and grabbed some rebounds.
The Hawks student section serenaded Creighton with chants with “Overrated!” and Jones waved his arms in celebration at the crowd.
Saint Josephs slumped to a 22-44 record over the last two years and the program was years removed from a string of NCAA tournament appearances.
But coach Phil Martelli seems to have the Hawks back on track.