University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
15-7,11-6Big East
Creighton
20-7,14-6Big East
Men’s Basketball Drops 59-56 Decision to No. 17 Creighton in BIG EAST Semis
3/12/2021 11:49:00 PM | Men's Basketball
NEW YORK – Sophomore James Bouknight scored 14 points and added a team-high eight rebounds to lead three Huskies in double-figure scoring but it wasn't enough as the University of Connecticut men's basketball team dropped a 59-56 decision against No. 17 Creighton on Friday evening in the semifinal round of the BIG EAST Tournament.
With the loss, UConn slips to 15-7 on the year while Creighton improves to 20-7.
Bouknight's 14 came on 4-14 shooting and he was 6-7 from the charity stripe.
He was joined in double-figures by Isaiah Whaley and Adama Sanogo, who each scored 13 points.
The Huskies stormed out of the gate and took a 13-2 lead after Sanogo converted on a jump hook with 14:31 remaining in the first half. The Bluejays would rebound though and closed the half on an 11-5 spurt to take a 30-26 lead into the locker room.
It was a back-and-forth affair for most of the second half and UConn took a five-point lead, 53-48, with 5:44 to go in the second half. Creighton would go on to score the next nine points but UConn would cut the lead to one on a pair of Bouknight free throws with 30-seconds to go.
After Creighton made two free throws on the ensuing possession to reclaim a three-point lead, the Huskies had two good looks at game-tying shots but were unable to convert, allowing for the Bluejays to advance to Saturday night's final.
UConn shot just 33 percent from the floor and the Huskies were 3-14 from long-range. UConn committed only eight turnovers on the evening, forced Creighton into 13 miscues and held the Bluejays to 37 percent shooting from the floor.
The Huskies will look forward to Sunday, March 14 when the NCAA Division I men's basketball bracket is announced at 6:30 p.m. EDT.
