New York, NY–In a thrilling semifinal showdown, the Creighton Bluejays defeated the UConn Huskies 71-62 at Madison Square Garden Friday night. Both teams entered the game with high expectations, but it was Creighton that emerged victorious, advancing in the Big East Tournament and earning a spot in the championship game against the #1 seed St. John’s.
Dominant First Half
Creighton came out strong, with guard Jamiya Neal scoring the team’s first nine points and assisting on another, establishing an early 11-6 lead. Center Ryan Kalkbrenner chipped in 12 points with 4 rebounds and 1 block. Kalkbrenner is averaging 22.0 points on 55.9 percent from the floor with 6.5 rebounds and 3.0 blocks in the tournament thus far. Bluejays’ offense was efficient and relentless, shooting 75% from the field in the first half. Forward Jasen Green added 9 points during a pivotal 12-2 run, extending Creighton’s lead to 42-30 at halftime.
UConn’s Second-Half Rally
The Huskies, led by guards Solo Ball and Liam McNeeley, each contributing 13 points, began the second half with renewed energy while Hassah Diarra reached double figures with 11 points. They trimmed the deficit to as few as three points with just over six minutes remaining. However, Creighton’s consistent shooting and timely plays prevented UConn from completing the comeback.
Controversial Final Moments
With 1.8 seconds left and the game decided, Creighton’s Neal dunked the ball, sparking a scuffle with UConn’s Hassan Diarra, who shoved Neal in response. Both players received technical fouls, and UConn’s Jayden Ross was ejected for leaving the bench during the altercation. Neal later expressed regret for his actions, acknowledging that he got “caught up in the moment.”
Looking Ahead
Creighton (24-9) advances to the Big East Tournament championship game, aiming for its first title since joining the conference. This was the second meeting in the Big East Tournament between the programs. Creighton won the previous matchup with UConn 59-56 in the 2021 Semifinals. The Bluejays will face top-seeded St. John’s, who have been impressive throughout the tournament, tomorrow at 6:30 pm ET again at MSG.
