December 15, 2012; Berkeley, CA, USA; Creighton Bluejays Forward Doug McDermott (3) goes up for a basket during the second half against the California Golden Bears at Memorial Stadium. Creighton won 74-64. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports

Doug McDermott, the player, and Greg McDermott, the head coach, executed a brilliant game plan to defeat the Cal Golden Bears 74 – 64 at Haas Pavilion. The Creighton Bluejays (10 – 1) were led by McDermott’s season-high 34 points and nine rebounds, while the father’s players frustrated Cal’s leading scorer Allen Crabbe into a 6-for-26 shooting night for a total of 14 points. Crabbe also went 0-for-8 from 3-point land.

Creighton’s Greg Echenique grabbed 11 rebounds and scored 10 points, but he left his mark on the defensive end, swatting away five Cal shots. Jahenns Manigat and Grants Gibbs chipped in 11 and 10 points, respectively, but it was how the guards controlled the pace that contributed to the undoing of Cal. Manigat led the Bluejays in assists with six, while Gibbs dished out three assists.

Cal (6 – 3) was led by Justin Cobbs’ 18 points and seven assists. Cobbs also grabbed six rebounds. David Kravish led Cal with 13 rebounds, while scoring seven points and blocking three shots. Richard Solomon had nine points and five rebounds in limited minutes before eventually fouling out. Despite a tough shooting night, Crabbe was able to grab seven rebounds. Cal’s Tyrone Wallace was also active on the boards with 10 rebounds and eight points, but he also fouled out.

But it was Creighton’s stifling defense which determined the outcome, as Crabbe was held to two points and 0-of-9 from the field in the first half. Meanwhile, Echenique was able to pass out of double teams in the post, and the Bluejays were able to find McDermott for open and contested jump shots. Creighton was also able to maintain their second half lead by driving the lane on pick-and-roll’s for layups on several possessions.

Creighton didn’t have a great shooting night either, shooting 25-of-61 (41.0%) from the field, 8-of-22 (36.4%) behind the 3-point arc, and 16-of-21 (76.2%) from the free throw line, but it was enough to thwart any comeback attempt by Cal.

Cal shot 27 – 78 (34.6%) from the floor, 3 – 17 (17.6%) behind the 3-point line, and 7 – 13 (53.8%) from the free throw line, but did manage a 47 – 36 rebounding advantage. Unfortunately for the Golden Bears, they couldn’t convert enough of their second-chance opportunities to win the game.

Box Score

Cal hosts the UCSB Gauchos Tuesday, December 18 at Haas Pavilion. Tip off is 8 pm Pacific time.