Seton Hall Pirates guard Kadary Richmond (1) drives to the basket against Creighton Bluejays center Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) during double overtime at Prudential Center. Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: No. 18 Creighton outlasts Seton Hall in 3OT thriller

By Eric Smithling | Last updated 1/20/24

Creighton and Seton Hall played arguably the game of the year in college basketball on Saturday.

The Associated Press No. 18 Bluejays outlasted the Pirates 97-94 in triple overtime.

Creighton senior center Ryan Kalkbrenner led the team with 28 points. He also had nine rebounds and seven blocks. Junior guard Trey Alexander hit the deciding three with 28.3 seconds remaining.

WOWWW!!! TREY ALEXANDER IN THE CLUTCH! ❄️@TrickyTrey23 x @BluejayMBB pic.twitter.com/mGLZng7PK5
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) January 20, 2024

It took a miraculous layup by senior transfer senior guard Steven Ashworth to tie the game in regulation. He somehow got his shot over an attempted block as the Bluejays tied the game with 3.3 seconds left.

ASHWORTH TIES IT UP! ❄️@BluejayMBB pic.twitter.com/a7rPUibjLR
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) January 20, 2024

Free basketball coming your way in the HALL! pic.twitter.com/cD8QG1WmMe
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) January 20, 2024

After coming up short at the end of the second half, Seton Hall senior guard Dre Davis put back a miss from senior guard Kadary Richmond to tie the game at 75 and force a second overtime.

DRE DAVIS IN THE CLUTCH!! ❄️ We're headed to Double OT! @SetonHallMBB pic.twitter.com/AgnZmebYyS
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) January 20, 2024

The Pirates had an opportunity to take a lead late in the second overtime, but Richmond missed the second of two free throws with 12.2 seconds remaining, leading to the decisive third overtime period.

3OT COMING YOUR WAY! @BluejayMBB x @SetonHallMBB pic.twitter.com/p7A1pydKkc
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) January 20, 2024

Creighton WINS IT in TRIPLE OVERTIME @BluejayMBB pic.twitter.com/Hz4aIOnhqp
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) January 20, 2024

Creighton (14-5, 5-3 in Big East) reached the Elite Eight during the 2023 NCAA men's tournament as a No. 6 seed, losing to 5-seed San Diego State, 57-56 in the regional final.

Kalkbrenner, Alexander and senior guard Baylor Scheierman all returned to Omaha after that run, while Ashford transferred from Utah State during the offseason.

Per Joe Lunardi's Bracketology for ESPN, the Bluejays are the projected No. 4 in the South Region. With their wild win on Saturday, Creighton looks ready for the madness that lies ahead.

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