NEW YORK (AP) — Things got heated at the Big East Tournament semifinals when Jamiya Neal of Creighton made a flashy dunk in the closing seconds of the game against UConn. The Bluejays were already leading 69-62 when Neal decided to take a risk with just 1.5 seconds left on the clock, which sparked a confrontation.
After Neal’s dunk, UConn guard Hassan Diarra took exception and pushed him. Both players squared off for a tense moment until their teammates intervened. “I felt it was disrespectful to the game of basketball,” said Diarra, emphasizing that the team had opted to let the time run out instead of taking another shot.
In the fray, officials quickly stepped in and assessed double technical fouls to both Diarra and Neal. UConn’s Jayden Ross was ejected for coming off the bench. Neal later expressed regret over the incident, citing the emotions involved in the game. “I respect Coach Hurley and those guys over there. I apologize for getting caught up in the moment,” he stated.
Creighton’s coach, Greg McDermott, approached UConn’s Dan Hurley to shake hands, indicating a desire to move past the skirmish. However, the atmosphere remained charged, especially with Luke Murray, an assistant coach from UConn, exchanging words with McDermott.
Ultimately, Creighton secured a victory, winning 71-62, which means they will face off against the top-seeded St. John’s in the championship game. Notably, Creighton has struggled in previous Big East finals, losing all four since joining the league in 2013. In contrast, UConn was looking to defend its title after winning the tournament last year.
This kind of passion and intensity is typical in college basketball, especially during tournament time. Fans and players alike often find themselves swept up in the excitement, sometimes leading to moments that overshadow the game itself. A recent study by the NCAA found that nearly 80% of college athletes say they play with a heightened sense of emotion during championship games, underlining how significant these moments are in their careers.
As we look forward to the final match-up, excitement is building for both teams. Who will come out on top? Only time will tell.
For more on college basketball rankings, check out the AP Top 25 [here](https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll) and [here](https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball).
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