Creighton secured a statement victory over UConn in the Big East Tournament semifinals, but the final moments of the game were overshadowed by controversy. With the Bluejays leading 69-62 and just seconds remaining, Jamiya Neal threw down an unnecessary dunk, igniting a heated exchange between players from both teams.
Jamiya Neal Apologizes for Controversial Dunk
The game was already decided when Creighton rebounded a missed UConn shot with under 10 seconds left. Huskies coach Dan Hurley signaled for his players to let the clock run out, but Neal, caught up in the moment, took advantage of the open lane and threw down a last-second dunk.
UConn guard Hassan Diarra immediately took offense, shoving Neal in the chest and momentarily squaring up as tensions flared.
Jamiya Neal apologizes for his dunk against UConn as the time expired for Creighton to advance to the Big East Championship game pic.twitter.com/g2GG4DpY64
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The altercation led to technical fouls on both Diarra and Neal, while UConn reserve forward Jayden Ross was ejected for leaving the bench. While cooler heads eventually prevailed, the unnecessary dunk left a sour taste in the mouths of the Huskies and their fans.
“I got caught up in the moment of the game,” Neal said in an interview. “I respect Coach Hurley and those guys over there.”
His words reflected an understanding that his actions were uncalled for, even in the heat of competition. While tensions between the teams were high, Creighton’s head coach Greg McDermott downplayed the incident, focusing instead on his team’s overall performance.
Despite the drama at the end, Creighton’s victory over UConn was a masterclass in execution. The Bluejays shut down the Huskies’ high-powered offense in the second half, limiting them to just 1.00 points per possession. Neal played a pivotal role in the win, scoring 19 points, including a crucial three-pointer that stopped a massive UConn rally.
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Creighton also exacted revenge for an earlier loss to UConn, when the Huskies secured their first-ever win in Omaha. This time, the Bluejays made sure history didn’t repeat itself.
With the win, Creighton advanced to the Big East Championship game, riding high on momentum despite the late-game scuffle, but lost to Rick Pitino and St. John’s Red Storm. For UConn, the loss was a frustrating setback, but the Huskies remain a dangerous team heading into the NCAA Tournament.
As for Neal, his apology may help smooth things over, but the dunk will likely be remembered as a controversial moment in what was otherwise an impressive team victory.
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