West Virginia secured a place in the championship game of the College Basketball Crown on Saturday, delivering a commanding 87-70 performance to defeat Creighton in the semifinals in Las Vegas.
The victory was fueled by a balanced offensive attack and a strong bench presence, most notably from DJ Thomas, who led all scorers with 20 points. The win moves the Mountaineers (20-14) into a high-stakes Sunday finale where they are scheduled to face former Big 12 conference rival Oklahoma.
From the opening tip, West Virginia established a rhythm that Creighton struggled to disrupt. A pair of early three-pointers from Honor Huff ignited an 8-0 run, setting a tone of aggression that the Mountaineers maintained for the majority of the contest. By the 9:15 mark of the first half, West Virginia had extended that lead to double digits, leading 26-16 following a series of successful layups by Thomas and Huff.
Controlling the Tempo in Las Vegas
While West Virginia held the lead for the duration of the game, the contest saw a brief window of tension in the first half. After DJ Thomas hit a triple to push the lead to 29-17, Creighton responded with a focused 9-0 surge. Led by a three-point play from Josh Dix, the Bluejays managed to pull within three points, threatening to shift the momentum before the break.
However, the Mountaineers regained their composure in the closing minutes of the half. Despite missing his first three attempts from beyond the arc, Treysen Eaglestaff hit a critical open three-pointer with 1:14 remaining, ensuring West Virginia entered the locker room with a 43-37 advantage.
The second half saw West Virginia systematically dismantle any hopes of a Creighton comeback. The Mountaineers extended their six-point halftime lead to 11 points midway through the half, capitalizing on a three-pointer from Brenen Lorient and a layup by Thomas. The margin peaked at 16 points following a three-point play by Harlan Obioha, forcing a Creighton timeout with just over nine minutes remaining in the game.
A Bittersweet Exit for Creighton
Creighton (16-18) showed resilience during the second half, utilizing a focused 8-0 run—with Jasen Green scoring six of those points—to cut the deficit in half. Despite the push, the Bluejays could not sustain the pace against a deep West Virginia rotation.
The game carried significant emotional weight for the Bluejays, as it served as a farewell to head coach Greg McDermott. According to event reports, McDermott is retiring as the winningest coach in program history, marking the end of a defining era for Creighton athletics.
On the court, Josh Dix led the Bluejays’ effort with 18 points, while Hudson Greer contributed 15. Jasen Green provided a strong interior presence, recording a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds.
Key Performance Metrics
The Mountaineers’ victory was a result of efficiency across multiple positions. While Thomas provided the scoring punch off the bench, the interior game was anchored by Chance Moore, who secured a double-double to control the boards.
| Player | Team | Points | Rebounds |
|---|---|---|---|
| DJ Thomas | West Virginia | 20 | — |
| Josh Dix | Creighton | 18 | — |
| Treysen Eaglestaff | West Virginia | 16 | — |
| Brenen Lorient | West Virginia | 15 | — |
| Hudson Greer | Creighton | 15 | — |
| Jasen Green | Creighton | 14 | 12 |
Closing the Door on the Semifinals
West Virginia position the game out of reach in the final minutes with a display of athletic finishes. Honor Huff connected on his third three-pointer of the night, followed by a Moore dunk and a Lorient layup to push the lead to 79-61 with 3:40 left on the clock.
The final blow came via a thunderous dunk from Lorient and a concluding layup by Eaglestaff, pushing the lead to 19 and sealing the 87-70 victory. The performance solidified the West Virginia Mountaineers’ status as a primary contender heading into the final.
The victory sets the stage for a clash of former conference foes. West Virginia will look to carry this momentum into the championship game on Sunday, where they will attempt to secure the title against Oklahoma.
For the latest updates on the tournament bracket and game times, fans are encouraged to monitor official tournament communications and team athletic portals.
What are your thoughts on the Mountaineers’ path to the final? Share your predictions and comments below.
