Creighton finally wins as Jamiya Neal shines with 21 points

On November 30, 2024, the Creighton men's basketball team competed against Notre Dame in the seventh-place game of the Players Era Festival held in Las Vegas, USA. Creighton, ranked 21st, ended their three-game losing streak by defeating Notre Dame with a final score of 80-76. Jamiya Neal was pivotal for Creighton, scoring 21 points and grabbing nine rebounds, helping his team overcome a significant challenge as Notre Dame fought back from a 17-point deficit in the first half. The game showcased a dramatic turnaround in the second half when Notre Dame took a brief lead thanks to a 3-pointer from Braeden Shrewsberry. However, Creighton responded vigorously through a series of three consecutive 3-pointers from Steven Ashworth and Jamiya Neal, reclaiming the lead and ensuring they wouldn’t lose it again. The efficiency of Creighton's shooting from beyond the arc was particularly notable, with a success rate of 46%, marking a remarkable improvement from their usual performance. Notre Dame, having started the season strong with a 4-0 record, has now faced a challenging stretch, losing four straight games. Their inability to maintain momentum against increasingly stronger opponents was evident, with losses to teams such as Elon, Rutgers, and No. 6 Houston leading into this match against Creighton. Their performance in this game, despite the defeat, displayed resilience and fighting spirit in coming back from a significant deficit. For Creighton, this victory was essential not only to improve their record to 5-3 but also to build confidence ahead of their upcoming game against the top-ranked Kansas. This match will be crucial as they aim to maintain their momentum and demonstrate that they can compete on a higher level. The implications of this game extend beyond just the current season, as both teams look to solidify their positions for upcoming conference play and build on their respective strengths and weaknesses.