**Meta:** Creighton defeats UConn in a thrilling Big East semifinal. Read more about the intense emotions and upcoming championship match.
**Content:**
### Creighton Advances to Big East Final
On Friday night at Madison Square Garden, Creighton triumphed over UConn, the two-time defending national champions, to secure a spot in the Big East final. The Bluejays, seeded second, led the game 69-62 and managed to run down the clock in the final seconds.
### Key Moments of the Game
– With less than 10 seconds remaining, Creighton secured a defensive rebound.
– UConn’s coach, Dan Hurley, instructed his team to let the clock run out without fouling.
– Jamiya Neal, however, sprinted down the left sideline for a slam dunk with just 1.5 seconds left, hanging onto the rim to celebrate.
### Tensions Rise
– Following the dunk, Neal engaged in a brief confrontation with UConn guard Hassan Diarra, who pushed him in the chest.
– Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton’s center, intervened to separate the players as tensions flared and benches cleared.
Diarra expressed his frustration, stating, “He didn’t want to dribble the ball out. Went in for a fancy dunk. I just felt it was disrespectful to the game of basketball.” Neal later acknowledged that he “got caught up in the emotions of the game” and offered an apology.
### Previous Rivalry
This matchup added to the ongoing rivalry between Creighton and UConn, which has seen tensions rise throughout the season. Hurley had previously taunted Creighton fans after a road win and threatened a fan last year.
### Upcoming Championship Match
Creighton will face St. John’s for the Big East title on Saturday at 6:30 p.m., promising an electric atmosphere with a strong Red Storm presence.
**FAQs:**
**Q: What was the final score of the Creighton vs. UConn game?**
A: Creighton won the game with a final score of 69-62, advancing to the Big East final.
**Alt Text:** Creighton Bluejays celebrate their victory over UConn in the Big East semifinal.
**URL Slug:** creighton-uconn-big-east-semifinal-recap
