UConn-Creighton ends in scuffle over ‘expensive’ dunk
Mar 15, 2025, 01:22 AM ET
NEW YORK CITY– A scuffle broke out at the end of Creighton’s success over UConn in the Big East competition semifinals Friday night after Jamiya Neal tossed down a needless dunk for the Bluejays in the final seconds.Huskies guard Hassan Diarra shoved Neal in the chest and appeared to square up with his fists for a flash as the two were in person. Creighton center Ryan Kalkbrenner separated them by pushing Neal away as whistles blew and players came streaming off the benches at Madison Square Garden. “I imply, they were already up with 7 seconds left,” Diarra stated.
“He didn’t wish to dribble the ball out. Embraced an expensive dunk. I just felt it was rude to the game of basketball. “With the second-seeded Bluejays leading 69-62, they rebounded a UConn
miss out on with under 10 seconds left and Huskies coach Dan Hurley signified for his group to let the clock run out without fouling.Editor’s Picks 2 Associated Neal, however, took off streaking down the left sideline for a slam with 1.5 seconds
remaining and hung onto the rim for a pullup. After his skirmish with Diarra, Neal waved his arms to fire up Creighton fans in the sellout crowd.Officials restored order pretty rapidly. Diarra and Neal received double technicals, and UConn reserve forward Jayden Ross was ejected for coming off the
bench.”I got caught up in the feelings of the game,”Neal stated.”Just a great deal of emotions going on. So I wish to excuse that. I appreciate Coach Hurley and those guys there. They have a terrific, excellent program. … Yeah, I say sorry. Simply got caught up in the moment, and I should not have did it. “Hurley and Bluejays coach Greg McDermott were currently approaching each other along the sideline to shake hands when Neal took off for his dunk. McDermott appeared to apologize to Hurley instantly later, and once again when the game ended.Connecticut assistant Luke Murray did appear to exchange a few unpleasant words with McDermott, however. Murray is the child of star Costs Murray, who beinged in the guarantee the UConn bench.Creighton beat the third-seeded Huskies 71-62 and advanced to face sixth-ranked and top-seeded St. John’s in the title game Saturday night.Creighton is 0-4 in Big East championship games considering that signing up with the league for the 2013-14 season.UConn, the two-time defending NCAA champion
, won the Big East tournament last year.