Creighton basketball fans ride emotional roller coaster at downtown watch party

Hundreds of fans in blue packed DJ’s Dugout downtown for the official Creighton basketball watch party Sunday. It was a tense environment all game, and CU ultimately fell 57-56 to San Diego State in the Elite Eight.

Fans were loud from the opening tip as DJ’s reached standing-room-only capacity. Creighton’s early lead had the Bluejay faithful in good spirits.

As the game went on, the mood of the entire establishment seemed to change by the minute. Everyone would jump up and cheer after every Creighton basket, even layups. Likewise, there was a massive groan every time a play went SDSU’s way.

In one particular sequence, the Aztecs missed a free throw and the crowd cheered for a half second before realizing SDSU got the offensive rebound, at which point they shared their frustration.

“How do we not get that rebound!” one distraught fan shouted from his table.

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On the next possession, Baylor Scheierman scored to retake the lead and end an 8-0 Aztec run. The mood of the crowd shifted dramatically again.

‘That’s what we like to see!” another fan yelled as he high-fived everyone around him.

Creighton led by five at halftime and everyone at DJ’s collectively took a deep breath. The 15-minute break was the calm before the storm.

As half number two got underway, a chant of “Let’s go Jays!” spread across the restaurant. It did not last long, however, as San Diego State got a dunk within ten seconds to quiet the DJ’s crowd.

Creighton held a small lead for much of the second half, stretching it to as much as seven, and the atmosphere became a bit restless.

“I think we’ll be okay,” a nervous fan said to a fellow nervous fan. “We’re kind of getting into a groove.”

With just under seven minutes remaining, SDSU took a one-point lead and the crowd fell nearly silent. Only quiet chatter could be heard.

Creighton tied it up, but the Aztecs took the lead again a minute later. This time, the fans let out a loud, collective groan.

The atmosphere turned again with four minutes to go, when Ryan Kalkbrenner’s massive block kept the game tied. It was as loud as it had been all afternoon.

With Creighton down two with 3:30 to play, one fan in the corner of DJ’s, wearing a Creighton jacket and baseball cap, stood up and began another “Let’s go Jays!” chant. The whole restaurant joined in.

With 30 seconds to play, Creighton trailed by two and SDSU had possession. The Bluejays forced a steal and Scheierman tied it with a layup. Every single fan jumped out of their seats and hollered, some even hugged.”

Unfortunately, Bluejay fans will have to live with the controversial ending for the whole offseason.

A questionable foul with just a second left allowed SDSU to hit the game-winning free throw, then the game was declared over after the ball went out-of-bounds and there appeared to be a couple tenths of a second still on the clock.

“How do you call a foul there?” said one fan with her hands on her head. “Nobody calls that foul in that situation.”

Many of the fans at DJ’s headed for the exit within a few minutes of the game ending, frustrated with the controversial finish.

Still, it was a raucous atmosphere until the very end. The support of the Omaha community for Creighton is unwavering, and you can be sure fans will be right back here cheering the Bluejays on next year.

Creighton’s Baylor Scheierman (55) speaks ahead of their game against San Diego State in the NCAA men’s basketball Elite Eight on Sunday. Photographed in Louisville, Ky., on Saturday, March 25, 2023.

Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) speaks ahead of their game against San Diego State in the NCAA men’s basketball Elite Eight on Sunday. Photographed in Louisville, Ky., on Saturday, March 25, 2023.

Photos: Creighton takes on San Diego State in Elite Eight

Creighton’s Baylor Scheierman (55) covers his face while walking off the court following the San Diego State vs. Creighton NCAA Elite Eight men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Sunday. San Diego State won the game 57-56.

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San Diego State’s Darrion Trammell (12) shoots a free throw with 1.2 seconds left in the San Diego State vs. Creighton NCAA Elite Eight men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Sunday. San Diego State won the game 57-56.

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Creighton head coach Greg McDermott yells at an official during the San Diego State vs. Creighton NCAA Elite Eight men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Sunday. San Diego State won the game 57-56.

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Creighton fans watch the final seconds of the San Diego State vs. Creighton NCAA Elite Eight men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Sunday. San Diego State won the game 57-56.

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Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner (11), Arthur Kaluma (24) and and Trey Alexander (23) and San Diego State’s Nathan Mensah (31) and Matt Bradley (20) go up for the rebound in the San Diego State vs. Creighton NCAA Elite Eight men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Sunday. San Diego State won the game 57-56.

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Creighton’s Arthur Kaluma (24) is fouled by San Diego State’s Micah Parrish (3) in the San Diego State vs. Creighton NCAA Elite Eight men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Sunday. San Diego State won the game 57-56.

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Creighton’s Arthur Kaluma (24), Baylor Scheierman (55), Ryan Nembhard (2) and Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) walk toward the bench during the San Diego State vs. Creighton NCAA Elite Eight men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Sunday. San Diego State won the game 57-56.

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San Diego State fans celebrate in the final seconds of the San Diego State vs. Creighton NCAA Elite Eight men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Sunday. San Diego State won the game 57-56.

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Creighton’s Ryan Nembhard (2) has his right hand a wrist looked at during the San Diego State vs. Creighton NCAA Elite Eight men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Sunday. San Diego State won the game 57-56.

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San Diego State celebrates winning the San Diego State vs. Creighton NCAA Elite Eight men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Sunday. San Diego State won the game 57-56.

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San Diego State’s Aguek Arop (33) celebrates with a bit of the net following the San Diego State vs. Creighton NCAA Elite Eight men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Sunday. San Diego State won the game 57-56.

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Creighton’s Arthur Kaluma (24) collides with San Diego State’s Jaedon LeDee (13) in the San Diego State vs. Creighton NCAA Elite Eight men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Sunday. San Diego State won the game 57-56.

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The San Diego State vs. Creighton NCAA Elite Eight men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Sunday. San Diego State won the game 57-56.

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Creighton’s Trey Alexander (23) in the final seconds of the San Diego State vs. Creighton NCAA Elite Eight men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Sunday. San Diego State won the game 57-56.

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The Creighton bench and fans react to a call in the San Diego State vs. Creighton NCAA Elite Eight men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Sunday. San Diego State won the game 57-56.

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Creighton head coach Greg McDermott yells at an official during the San Diego State vs. Creighton NCAA Elite Eight men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Sunday. San Diego State won the game 57-56.

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Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) gets the ball in the hood over San Diego State’s Aguek Arop (33) in the San Diego State vs. Creighton NCAA Elite Eight men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Sunday. San Diego State won the game 57-56.

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Creighton’s Arthur Kaluma (24) keeps the ball from San Diego State’s Micah Parrish (3) in the San Diego State vs. Creighton NCAA Elite Eight men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Sunday. San Diego State won the game 57-56.

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Creighton fans watch the final seconds of the San Diego State vs. Creighton NCAA Elite Eight men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Sunday. San Diego State won the game 57-56.

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Creighton’s Arthur Kaluma (24) shoots the ball over San Diego State’s Matt Bradley (20) in the San Diego State vs. Creighton NCAA Elite Eight men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Sunday. San Diego State won the game 57-56.

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Creighton’s Trey Alexander (23) brings the ball down court while up against San Diego State’s Adam Seiko (2) in the San Diego State vs. Creighton NCAA Elite Eight men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Sunday. San Diego State won the game 57-56.

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Creighton’s Ryan Nembhard (2) keeps the ball away from his right hand and wrist during the San Diego State vs. Creighton NCAA Elite Eight men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Sunday. San Diego State won the game 57-56.

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Creighton fans watch the final seconds of the San Diego State vs. Creighton NCAA Elite Eight men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Sunday. San Diego State won the game 57-56.

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San Diego State and Creighton fans react to a play in the San Diego State vs. Creighton NCAA Elite Eight men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Sunday. San Diego State won the game 57-56.

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Fans react to a play in the San Diego State vs. Creighton NCAA Elite Eight men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Sunday. San Diego State won the game 57-56.

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Fans react immediately after the end of the San Diego State vs. Creighton NCAA Elite Eight men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Sunday. San Diego State won the game 57-56.

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San Diego State’s Jared Barnett (4) celebrates following the San Diego State vs. Creighton NCAA Elite Eight men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Sunday. San Diego State won the game 57-56.

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Creighton’s Ryan Nembhard (2) closes his eyes after a foul was called against him with 1.2 seconds left in the San Diego State vs. Creighton NCAA Elite Eight men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Sunday. San Diego State won the game 57-56.

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San Diego State head coach Brian Dutcher watches his team in the San Diego State vs. Creighton NCAA Elite Eight men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Sunday.

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Creighton fans cheer during the San Diego State vs. Creighton NCAA Elite Eight men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Sunday.

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San Diego State celebrates following the San Diego State vs. Creighton NCAA Elite Eight men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Sunday. San Diego State won the game 57-56.

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Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) goes for two points in the San Diego State vs. Creighton NCAA Elite Eight men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Sunday.

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Creighton’s Arthur Kaluma (24) eyes the hoop in the San Diego State vs. Creighton NCAA Elite Eight men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Sunday.

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Creighton’s Ryan Nembhard (2) keeps the ball from San Diego State’s Lamont Butler (5) in the San Diego State vs. Creighton NCAA Elite Eight men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Sunday.

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Creighton’s Arthur Kaluma (24) grabs a rebound away fro San Diego State’s Keshad Johnson (0) in the San Diego State vs. Creighton NCAA Elite Eight men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Sunday.

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Creighton’s Baylor Scheierman (55) keeps the ball from San Diego State’s Jaedon LeDee (13) and Micah Parrish (3) in the San Diego State vs. Creighton NCAA Elite Eight men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Sunday.

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Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) dives for the ball in the San Diego State vs. Creighton NCAA Elite Eight men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Sunday.

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San Diego State’s Aguek Arop (33) plays in the San Diego State vs. Creighton NCAA Elite Eight men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Sunday.

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Creighton fans react to a play in the San Diego State vs. Creighton NCAA Elite Eight men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Sunday.

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Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) competes in the San Diego State vs. Creighton NCAA Elite Eight men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Sunday.

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Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) gets his arms up in front of San Diego State’s Jaedon LeDee (13) in the San Diego State vs. Creighton NCAA Elite Eight men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Sunday.

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Creighton cheerleaders perform during a break in the San Diego State vs. Creighton NCAA Elite Eight men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Sunday.

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Creighton’s Trey Alexander (23) controls the ball in the San Diego State vs. Creighton NCAA Elite Eight men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Sunday.

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Creighton head coach Greg McDermott calls out to his team in the San Diego State vs. Creighton NCAA Elite Eight men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Sunday.

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San Diego State’s Lamont Butler (5) powers through Creighton’s Baylor Scheierman (55) in the San Diego State vs. Creighton NCAA Elite Eight men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Sunday.

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San Diego State’s Aguek Arop (33) slams into the media table in the San Diego State vs. Creighton NCAA Elite Eight men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Sunday.

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Creighton’s Shereef Mitchell (4) keeps an eye on San Diego State’s Darrion Trammell (12) in the San Diego State vs. Creighton NCAA Elite Eight men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Sunday.

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Creighton fans react to a play in the San Diego State vs. Creighton NCAA Elite Eight men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Sunday.

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Creighton head coach Greg McDermott, left, and San Diego State head coach Brian Dutcher meets before the start of the San Diego State vs. Creighton NCAA Elite Eight men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Sunday.

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Creighton’s Arthur Kaluma (24) warms up ahead of the San Diego State vs. Creighton NCAA Elite Eight men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Sunday.

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A ball with a March Madness logo ahead of the San Diego State vs. Creighton NCAA Elite Eight men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Sunday.

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Fans arrive for the San Diego State vs. Creighton NCAA Elite Eight men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Sunday.

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Creighton’s Ryan Nembhard (2) wears headphones as he warms up ahead of the San Diego State vs. Creighton NCAA Elite Eight men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Sunday.

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Creighton warms up ahead of the San Diego State vs. Creighton NCAA Elite Eight men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Sunday.

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Creighton’s Trey Alexander (23) warms up ahead of the San Diego State vs. Creighton NCAA Elite Eight men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Sunday.

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Fans arrive for the San Diego State vs. Creighton NCAA Elite Eight men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Sunday.

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The court is painted ahead of the San Diego State vs. Creighton NCAA Elite Eight men’s basketball game in Louisville, Ky., on Sunday.

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Creighton fans attend mass in a hotel ballroom ahead of the San Diego State vs. Creighton NCAA men’s basketball Elite Eight in downtown Louisville, Ky., on Sunday.

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William Martinez, of Sutherland, Neb., and other Creighton fans attend mass in a hotel ballroom ahead of the San Diego State vs. Creighton NCAA men’s basketball Elite Eight in downtown Louisville, Ky., on Sunday.

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Patty Galas, the administrative assistant for the Creighton men’s basketball program, offers communion as Creighton fans attend mass in a hotel ballroom ahead of the San Diego State vs. Creighton NCAA men’s basketball Elite Eight in downtown Louisville, Ky., on Sunday.

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