BJ Davis scored a career-high 18 points as San Diego State upended No. 21 Creighton 71-53 on Tuesday, the opening day of the Players Era Festival.

Events like the Players Era Festival -- a “first-of-its-kind, NIL-driven” basketball tournament featuring some of the top programs in the nation -- could “just be the beginning” for collegiate basketball programs looking for ways to earn money to fund NIL.

BJ Davis scored a career-high 18 points and San Diego State upended No. 21 Creighton 71-53 on Tuesday, the opening day of the Players Era Festival at the MGM Grand Garden. The Blue Jays struggled to find their offensive rhythm against a San Diego State defense that generated eight steals and scored 13 points off turnovers.

Sophomore BJ Davis recorded career highs with 18 points and nine rebounds, lifting San Diego State to a 71-53 victory over No. 21 Creighton on Tuesday in the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas.

Tuesday in their first matchup in the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas. Why it matters: Beating Creighton, a ranked opponent and perennial NCAA Tournament player, gives SDSU a solid win for their resume before they begin conference play.