/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47746489/usa-today-8948782.0.jpg)
'Tis the night before Thanksgiving and the Bluejays have gorged themselves a night early by feeding on the human carcasses of the UMass Minutemen. From the start of the game it was clear that the Creighton Bluejays Geoffrey Groselle was on a mission to make an impact in a championship game with 20 points, 9 rebounds and missing all of two shots (6-7 FG, 8-9 FT). Creighton's center was absolutely electric and played with an athleticism I haven't seen from him in his entire career. Perhaps he's a big fan of Thanksgiving and wanted to honor all the turkey souls who have ascended to landbird heaven with an incredible performance.
The Bluejays got out to a 12-point lead in the first half with some stellar play by Maurice Watson Jr, as he scored 7 of the team's first 22 points. UMass couldn't buy a bucket and could not find good footing while Creighton pushed past them early on, as the Bluejays answered nearly everything UMass threw at them.
The second half started with Creighton increasing their lead from 12 to 16 at the 15 minute mark. UMass tried to dig up from the hole they were already in and ended up burying themselves even more. The same team that hit 16 3 pointers just two nights ago could not keep up with the brilliant play of the Bluejays, who capitalized on their motion offense instantly flowing while in transition. Isaiah Zierden got hot for a bit during the initial run, getting a bucket off a steal and a 3 to build on the lead. Groselle went off in the second half, scoring 9 points in the first 5 minutes to increase the lead to 18. After getting called for his third foul, the senior center left the court to a chorus of cheers from the Bluejay faithful. He'd enter one more time for a few minutes during the blowout and get 4 more points to set a new career high with 20 points.
The Bluejays showed tonight that when they're clicking they're an incredibly dangerous team. Championships are good.