Ryan Kalkbrenner and Jamiya Neal led Creighton to a hard-fought 68-63 victory over the 14th-ranked UConn on Saturday, showcasing their skills in a match that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
Neal’s impressive career-high of 24 points was complemented by Kalkbrenner’s solid performance of 16 points, while Steven Ashworth contributed 12 points for the Bluejays, who now hold a record of 12-6 overall and 5-2 in the Big East.
For UConn, Hassan Diarra and Solo Ball each scored 15 points, but their efforts were not enough to prevent a loss that ended their remarkable 28-game home winning streak. The defeat serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of college basketball.
The game saw a pivotal moment when Alex Karaban’s four consecutive points sparked a 12-2 run, putting the Huskies ahead 43-41 early in the second half. However, Creighton quickly responded with a couple of powerful dunks, regaining the lead with a 6-0 run.
Creighton’s shooting improved dramatically after a rocky start, hitting four consecutive three-pointers, with Isaac Traudt giving the Bluejays their first lead midway through the first half. Despite UConn reclaiming the lead twice, Creighton finished strong, scoring 10 of the last 12 points of the half to head into the locker room with a 35-28 advantage.
Takeaways
Creighton emerged victorious in a clash of the top two teams predicted to finish at the top of the Big East preseason poll, with players beyond Kalkbrenner and Ashworth stepping up to deliver crucial plays.
For UConn, the loss is another missed opportunity as star freshman Liam McNeeley continues to recover from a high-ankle sprain, highlighting the impact of injuries on team performance.
Key moment
With about three and a half minutes left in the game, UConn had just regained the lead through a pair of Samson Johnson free throws. Kalkbrenner quickly countered by scoring the next three points and forcing a missed shot from Diarra, allowing Creighton to take a lead they would not give up.
Key stat
Creighton capitalized at the foul line, outscoring UConn 14-5, including four consecutive free throws that sealed their victory.
Up next
Creighton will face DePaul on Tuesday, while UConn will host Butler at the XL Center on the same day, both teams looking to bounce back from this competitive matchup.
FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience 
