Creighton University’s men’s basketball team pulled off a stunning upset on Tuesday night, defeating the top-ranked University of Connecticut (UConn) Huskies and ending their 14-game winning streak. The No. 15 Bluejays had previously lost all six of their meetings with No. 1-ranked teams, but they finally broke through on their seventh try with an impressive 85-66 victory.
For Creighton coach Greg McDermott, this win was historic for the program. He acknowledged the hard work of many individuals over a long period of time that led to this moment. McDermott praised his team’s performance, stating, “We played a really good game and we beat an incredible team, a team that has a legitimate chance to win a national championship. But we’re pretty good as well.”
The Bluejays dominated the game, building a double-digit lead in the first half and maintaining it throughout. They led by as much as 23 points with 10 minutes remaining but saw their lead cut to 10 before regaining control. The victory prompted the enthusiastic crowd to storm the court as soon as the final buzzer sounded.
Creighton’s success was fueled by outstanding performances from several players. Steven Ashworth led the team with 20 points, 16 of which came in the first half. Trey Alexander contributed 16 points, and Ryan Kalkbrenner added 15. The Bluejays’ sharpshooting from beyond the arc was also a key factor, as they made 14 of 28 three-pointers.
The win was a significant blow to UConn, who had been on a 14-game winning streak, the longest active streak in Division I. Just three days prior, UConn had defeated then-No. 4 Marquette by 28 points in one of the most impressive victories of the season. However, they couldn’t maintain their momentum against Creighton. UConn coach Dan Hurley admitted, “It kind of felt like we just ran into a buzz saw there.”
The loss marked UConn’s 19th consecutive road loss to a ranked opponent, with their last such win dating back to 2014. Tristen Newton was the standout player for UConn, scoring 27 points, 17 of which came in the second half. However, it wasn’t enough to overcome Creighton’s dominant performance.
The Huskies struggled throughout the game, making a season-low three three-pointers on 16 attempts. Their defense also faltered, allowing Creighton to find their rhythm and shoot at a high percentage. UConn coach Hurley acknowledged that his team didn’t perform well and took responsibility for their shortcomings.
Creighton’s victory was a testament to their resilience and confidence. Despite a slow start and early foul trouble for leading scorer Baylor Scheierman, the Bluejays remained composed and continued to play their game. McDermott praised his team’s fearlessness, stating, “Even when we got off to that bad start, I didn’t see any fear, no concern in our faces, we just continued to play.”
This win adds to Creighton’s impressive record of defeating top-10 teams for nine consecutive years. It also marked McDermott’s 600th career win as a coach, a milestone he will never forget due to the quality of the opponent and the electric atmosphere created by the home crowd.
Overall, Creighton’s victory over UConn was a historic moment for the program. It showcased their ability to compete with and defeat top-ranked teams. The Bluejays’ exceptional performance and the passionate support of their fans made this game one to remember. As McDermott stated, “There’s a lot of guys that have played for me here that have put us in a position to win a lot of games because they sacrifice. Not everybody wants to play the game the way that we play it, unselfish and selfless, but we’ve got a group here that’s pretty bought into that.”
