PHILADELPHIA — In a thrilling matchup, Ryan Kalkbrenner led the Creighton Bluejays to a narrow victory over the Villanova Wildcats, scoring 22 points and making significant contributions in the final moments of the game. The decisive moment came when Steven Ashworth nailed a crucial 3-pointer with just seven seconds remaining, helping secure the Bluejays’ 62-60 win on Saturday.

Kalkbrenner not only excelled in scoring but also contributed eight rebounds for his team, propelling Creighton to a record of 16-6 overall and 9-2 in the Big East Conference. Neal Jamiya provided notable support, putting up 13 points alongside nine rebounds. Ashworth’s performance included making 4 of 9 shots and hitting 3 of 7 from beyond the three-point line, contributing 13 points to the team’s score. Impressively, this victory marked Creighton’s seventh consecutive win, underscoring their strong performance this season.

On the other side, the Wildcats were led by Wooga Poplar, who delivered a standout performance with 24 points and five steals, providing a tough challenge for Creighton. Eric Dixon added 17 points, while Jordan Longino chipped in with eight points as Villanova aimed to turn their fortunes around with a current record of 12-10 and 5-6 in the conference.

The teams entered halftime even at 29-29, with Kalkbrenner contributing 10 points prior to the break. His second-half performance was crucial, as he added another 12 points to help the Bluejays maintain their edge in a tightly contested game.

Looking ahead, both Creighton and Villanova will continue their seasons with upcoming matches scheduled for Wednesday. Creighton is set to face Providence, while Villanova will travel to DePaul for their next challenge.