OMAHA, Neb. — In a thrilling matchup, Liam McNeeley delivered an impressive performance with a season-best 38 points alongside 10 rebounds, helping UConn rally back from a 14-point deficit late in the first half to defeat No. 24 Creighton with a score of 70-66 Tuesday night.
The pivotal moment came when Alex Karaban sank a floater in the lane, breaking a 65-65 tie with just 1:44 remaining. This victory marked UConn’s first win in Omaha since they rejoined the Big East in 2020, improving their record to 17-7 and 9-4 in the conference.
Creighton, which recently returned to the AP Top 25 for the first time since late November, experienced their first loss since January 3 and saw a slump in their performance, shooting only 30% in the second half. This defeat comes amidst a 9-game winning streak for the Bluejays, now holding a record of 18-7 and 11-3 in the conference.
McNeeley’s return from an ankle injury, which had sidelined him for eight games, proved crucial as he recorded his fourth double-double of the season. After halftime, he shone particularly bright, contributing 23 points and hitting four out of five 3-point attempts.
For Creighton, Ryan Kalkbrenner and Steven Ashworth each contributed 13 points; however, Ashworth struggled from the field, making just 1 of 8 shots but going 11 of 12 from the free-throw line.
Analyzing the game, UConn managed to avoid back-to-back losses for the first time since November, despite entering the contest as an unranked team for the first time this season. Conversely, Creighton’s shooting woes included hitting just 40.4% from the field and 29.2% from behind the arc, with Ashworth failing to score a 3-pointer, marking a first this season.
A significant key moment unfolded when McNeeley hit consecutive 3-pointers midway through the second half, giving UConn the lead for the first time. His jubilant response to the crowd showcased his confidence and enthusiasm.
Another critical factor in UConn’s win was their ball control; they limited turnovers to just six, a stark contrast to the 47 turnovers recorded in their prior two games.
Looking ahead, UConn is set to face Seton Hall on Saturday, while Creighton will take on No. 9 St. John’s at Madison Square Garden on Sunday.
