NEW YORK -- Rick Pitino and St. John’s did their part to hold up the all-Northeast final in the Big East Tournament, but Dan Hurley and UConn could not. The No. 3 Huskies were overwhelmed by the wings of No. 2 Creighton and lost, 71-62, in the Big East Tournament semifinals at Madison Square Garden.

The UConn men’s basketball team was doomed by its poor first half as it was eliminated by Creighton in the Big East semifinal, but the Huskies are optimistic for March Madness.

A scuffle broke out at the end of Creighton’s 71-62 victory over UConn in the Big East Tournament semifinals after Jamiya Neal threw down a needless dunk for the Bluejays in the final seconds.