OMAHA, Neb. – Steven Ashworth scored 16 of his 20 points in the first half as Creighton built a double-digit lead and the No. 15 Bluejays defeated UConn 85-66 on Tuesday night, marking the program's first victory over a No. 1-place team.
Creighton (20-7, 10-6 Big East) led by 23 points with 10 minutes left, but saw its lead cut to 10 before holding the Huskies scoreless on five straight possessions, rebuilding their cushion and causing students to leave their seats in preparation to storm the court – which they did as soon as the buzzer sounded.
UConn (24-3, 14-2) ended its 14-game winning streak three days after beating then-No. 4 Marquette by 28 points for one of the most impressive victories of the season – and a day after it was ranked in the AP Poll was voted the first unanimous No. 1 of this season.
Trey Alexander scored 16 points and Ryan Kalkbrenner added 15 for the Bluejays, who made 14 of 28 3-pointers in their second-best shooting night from beyond the arc this season. In the 62-48 loss to UConn last month, Creighton was just 6 of 26 from 3.
UConn's Tristen Newton scored 17 of his 27 points in the second half, including 10 during the 18-5 spurt that helped the Huskies get within 74-64.
The Huskies made a season-low three 3s on 16 attempts, marking their most lopsided loss since Houston defeated them 84-45 in the American Athletic Conference Tournament on March 15, 2019, winning by at least 25 points.
The Bluejays made just two of their first nine shots, trailed by eight points early on and had leading scorer Baylor Scheierman on the bench for eight minutes in the first half after he picked up two fouls. Scheierman finished with 12 points.
The Huskies had their own problems. Donovan Clingan, their 7-foot-2, 280-pound center, was warned for two quick fouls and played just 11 minutes in the half, and UConn went through a 2-for-10 stretch as Creighton found its rhythm.
A few strong throws from substitutes Francisco Farabello and Jasen Green sparked an 18-2 run. Farabello made two straight 3s and Green hit one from the corner to wipe out the Huskies' lead.
Then Ashworth struck from more than 30 feet, starting a personal run of 13 straight points for the Bluejays, who made 14 of their last 19 shots in the half and went into the locker room with a 43-29 lead.
BIG PICTURE
UConn: The Huskies have lost 21 straight times on the road to top-25 opponents. They have not beaten a ranked team as a visiting team since January 16, 2014 in Memphis.
Creighton: The Bluejays gave coach Greg McDermott his 600th career win and have beaten a top-10 team in nine straight years. They also posted their ninth consecutive 20-win season.
NEXT
UConn: Host Villanova on Saturday.
Creighton: Visit St. John's on Sunday.
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AP College Basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball