UNCASVILLE, Conn. — Paige Bueckers put on a stellar performance, scoring 24 points, while Azzi Fudd contributed significantly with 13 points to drive No. 3 UConn to a convincing 70-50 victory over 22nd-ranked Creighton, securing the Big East championship on Monday night. This victory marks the Huskies’ 23rd Big East title overall and their fifth in a row since rejoining the conference in 2021.
Creighton reached the championship game for the first time since 2016, when they faced off against St. John’s and ultimately fell short. Sarah Strong was instrumental for UConn, adding 13 points, 11 rebounds, and six steals to the scoreboard, helping the team to start the game with an 11-point run.
Lauren Jensen was the top scorer for Creighton with 13 points. The Bluejays, known for their strong three-point game with an average of over nine per match and a 37% goal rate from beyond the arc, struggled significantly against UConn, making only six of their 23 attempts. Five of these successful shots came during the second half of the match.
Observations suggest that Creighton’s loss was a rare setback in their impressive season, given that their defeats until now were restricted to three matches against UConn, as well as clashes with UCLA, South Dakota State, and Kansas State. This track record hints that they could still pose a formidable challenge in the NCAA Tournament irrespective of their seeding.
On the other hand, UConn showcases an imposing form streak since their defeat to Tennessee back on February 6. The Huskies have subsequently won every game by a margin of at least 19 points, including a dominant 29-point victory over South Carolina. These accomplishments frame UConn as one of the leading contenders in the run-up to the NCAA Tournament this year.
Crucial to UConn’s decisive beginning was the initial 11-point score amid Creighton’s five turnovers and their fruitless 0-for-5 attempts from the field. As Creighton managed to retaliate with seven consecutive points, UConn answered with an aggressive 16-4 run, concluding the first quarter with a 27-11 advantage.
Notably, Creighton coach Jim Flanery emphasized the significance of handling turnovers, but the Bluejays faced an uphill battle with seven of their 19 turnovers occurring in the first quarter, severely limiting their ability to recover in the game.
Both UConn and Creighton now eagerly await the detailed announcements of their NCAA Tournament seeding, which will be disclosed on Sunday night.
