Offensive Struggles Plague Rutgers in College Basketball Crown Loss to Creighton
Rutgers falls in the final game of their season to Creighton after a lopsided second half.
LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 02: Isaac Traudt #41 of the Creighton Bluejays takes a jump shot over Emmanuel Ogbole #21 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in the first half during the 2026 College Basketball Crown - Quarterfinal game at Grand Garden Arena at the MGM Grand Resort on April 02, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) | Getty Images Rutgers men’s basketball fell to Creighton 82-69 in the first round of the College Basketball Crown, which officially brings to an end the 2025-2026 season for the Scarlet Knights. Despite a strong showing from the defense early on, Rutgers could not generate the offense it needed to stay competitive throughout the entire game.
Emmanuel Ogbole would get the scoring started for Rutgers, hitting a layup in the paint for the first score of the game. The Knights’ high energy level of play would put Creighton in a hole early on, as they led 11-4 early on. Rutgers would keep up the pressure over the next five minutes, clawing their way to a 22-12 lead with 10 minutes left to go in the half.
Guards Tariq Francis and Lino Mark would be the engine for the Knights offense early on, as they would combine for 14 of Rutgers 22 points after the first 10 minutes of play; however, it was their aggressive defense that forced the Blue Jays to start slow offensively. Despite the fast start, the Knights’ lead would quickly evaporate after Creighton went on a 9-0 scoring run to shrink Rutgers lead to one before tying the game off a Josh Dix three-point shot a few short moments later. Creighton would get their first lead of the game with just over a minute left to go in the half.
The Blue Jays would finish the first half on a 19-6 run to go into the half up 31-28. In the second half, it was once again Ogbole who opened up the scoring with a dunk. Rutgers would retake the lead with a Francis free throw.