In a thrilling showdown at Gampel Pavilion, the No. 5 UConn men's basketball team faced a tough 91-84 defeat against Creighton, marking their first home loss in nearly three months. The Huskies, now 24-3 overall and 14-2 in the BIG EAST, couldn't hold off the Bluejays' late surge.
The game was a high-octane affair right from the tip-off, with both teams lighting up the scoreboard. By halftime, the score was knotted at 45.
UConn came out strong in the second half, launching a 10-3 run to grab a seven-point lead. But Creighton responded with an 8-0 burst, flipping the momentum.
Despite UConn regaining a slim lead, a decisive 14-2 run by Creighton sealed the deal.
Mullins was a standout for the Huskies, dropping a career-high 25 points, fueled by six three-pointers. He also contributed six rebounds and two steals.
Silas Demary Jr. added 17 points and dished out a game-high nine assists, while Tarris Reed Jr. posted a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Off the bench, Jayden Ross provided a spark with six points, three rebounds, two assists, two steals, and two blocks.
For Creighton, Josh Dix led with 21 points and eight rebounds, while Nik Graves chipped in 18 points and five assists.
Game Breakdown
Both teams were on fire in the first half, shooting over 50 percent. Creighton took an early lead, but UConn quickly leveled the score with a five-point burst capped by a Ross three-pointer.
A two-hand slam by Reed Jr. put UConn up, prompting a Creighton timeout. The Bluejays responded with a 10-3 run, and a three-point play by Graves extended their lead to six.
Mullins' late first-half heroics, scoring six points in the final minute, helped the Huskies tie it up at the break. Reed Jr. was dominant early, leading all scorers with 13 first-half points.
UConn's strong start to the second half, highlighted by a Mullins three and Demary Jr.'s free throws, gave them a 55-48 edge. However, Creighton answered with back-to-back triples from Dix and Graves, reclaiming the lead. Mullins' consecutive threes briefly put UConn back on top, but Creighton's 14-2 run proved insurmountable.
By the Numbers
UConn shot 43.7 percent from the field and hit 36.7 percent from beyond the arc, but struggled at the free-throw line, converting just 61.1 percent. Creighton, meanwhile, was efficient, shooting 49.1 percent overall and an impressive 84.4 percent from the line.
Creighton also held advantages on the glass (41-35) and in bench scoring (22-17), while UConn managed a slight edge in points in the paint (32-30). The Huskies forced 10 turnovers and capitalized with 13 points off those miscues.
Additional Notes
- UConn is now 4-10 all-time against Creighton.
- Alex Karaban extended his program record with his 137th career start.
- Reed Jr. recorded his sixth double-double of the season.
- Mullins reached the 20-point mark for the second time this season.
- The Huskies have hit double-digit three-pointers in a game 10 times this season, including six of their last seven contests.
- UConn tallied 21 assists, marking the 11th time this season they've reached 20.
Looking Ahead
UConn will look to bounce back in their next matchup as they continue their BIG EAST campaign.