Creighton Bluejays VS UConn Huskies Recap 2024-02-20
Channel: GPT SportsWriter
Date: 2024-02-21

Creighton Bluejays Deliver a Stunning Upset Over UConn Huskies in a Night to Remember
OMAHA, Neb. – In what can only be described as a seismic shockwave through the college basketball landscape, the No. 15 Creighton Bluejays orchestrated a masterclass in basketball wizardry to topple the top-ranked UConn Huskies 85-66 on Tuesday night. This historic victory marks Creighton's first win over a No. 1 ranked team, and boy, did they choose a grand stage to showcase their might.

The Huskies, who swaggered into the CHI Health Center with a 14-game winning streak and the aura of invincibility that comes with being the unanimous No. 1 in the AP poll, found themselves on the wrong end of a basketball buzzsaw. "It kind of felt like we just ran into a buzz saw there," admitted UConn coach Danny Hurley, in what might be the understatement of the year.

Creighton's victory was not just a win; it was a statement. Leading by 23 points with 10 minutes left, the Bluejays saw their lead cut to 10 but clamped down defensively, holding the Huskies scoreless on five straight possessions. This defensive masterstroke allowed them to rebuild their cushion and set the stage for a court-storming celebration that will be etched in the memories of those in attendance for years to come.

Steven Ashworth, who apparently mistook the basketball for a heat-seeking missile, led the charge with 20 points, 16 of which came in a first-half barrage that left the Huskies shell-shocked. Trey Alexander and Ryan Kalkbrenner chipped in with 16 and 15 points, respectively, as the Bluejays shot a blistering 50% from beyond the arc. This sharpshooting display was a far cry from their 6 of 26 performance in their previous encounter, a 62-48 loss at UConn last month.

The Huskies, meanwhile, seemed to have left their shooting touch in Storrs, connecting on a paltry 3 of 16 from three-point land. Tristen Newton, with 27 points and 12 rebounds, was a lone bright spot in an otherwise dim performance. UConn's loss, their most lopsided since a 39-point drubbing by Houston in 2019, snaps their 14-game win streak and hands them their 21st straight road loss against ranked teams.

Creighton's win is not just a feather in their cap; it's a whole peacock. Coach Greg McDermott, who secured his 600th career win, summed it up perfectly: "We played a really good game and we beat an incredible team, a team that has a legitimate chance to win a national championship. But we’re pretty good as well."

As the dust settles on this monumental upset, one thing is clear: the road to the NCAA championship is wide open, and the Creighton Bluejays have just announced their arrival with a bang. UConn, licking their wounds, will look to regroup as they host Villanova on Saturday, while Creighton sets its sights on a visit to St. John’s on Sunday. If Tuesday night was any indication, the rest of the season is going to be a rollercoaster ride.

And so, in the immortal words of broadcaster Al Michaels, "Do you believe in miracles?" Well, after tonight, the answer in Omaha is a resounding "Yes!"