![Ayala scores 23 to push No. 10 Maryland past UConn](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/KFFjnXKZKL8qLnYtY_PTJLS_ikg=/2048x1365/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/4W5ESNBDOBCZZODWWEOHSZK47E.jpg)
Ayala scores 23 to push No. 10 Maryland past UConn
โ Eric Ayala scored 23 points and Maryland clamped down on defense down the stretch to snag a 63-54 victory over No. 7 UConn in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday night. The 10th-seeded Terrapins held UConn to 32% shooting to overcome the Huskies' strong physical game. Ayala and Darryl Morsell each made a pair of three throws to push the lead back to nine. It was the first meeting between Maryland and UConn since Maryland won in the 2002 regional final en route to its only national championship.
![No. 17 Creighton tops UConn 59-56 to reach Big East finals](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/Ulxqn4980JLbFhRx7AcjCKiETFo=/1600x1067/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/QWCQNB2A2VBNFNXDN6TZUSREHQ.jpg)
No. 17 Creighton tops UConn 59-56 to reach Big East finals
17 Creighton held Connecticut without a field goal over the final six minutes to beat the Huskies 59-56 Friday night in the Big East Tournament semifinals. Bouknight scored 14 to lead the third-seeded Huskies, who were playing in their first Big East Tournament since 2012 after returning to the conference this season. Creighton will look for its first Big East Tournament championship a little more than a week after coach Greg McDermott was suspended by the school for making racially insensitive remarks to his team. Creighton has reached the Big East final twice previously since it joined the league for the 2013-14 season, but has yet to win the championship. Creighton: Zegarowski struggled to find his groove most of the game against UConn's tough perimeter defense.
![Shockers solidifying shaky spot in NCAA Tournament field](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/vAA1e45ztCPRVjwSWipa4CGXzKk=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/AELWICJRXRE5PJXVV36NRXHY6U.jpg)
Shockers solidifying shaky spot in NCAA Tournament field
It was their eighth victory this season by five points or fewer, and their highest-ranked victim at home since beating No. Suddenly, a program that began the season in turmoil is on the right side of the NCAA Tournament bubble. At one point the Ducks had six of seven games postponed by COVID-19, and that streak ended with an ugly loss to Washington State. But they followed with five straight wins, including one over fellow bubble-dweller Colorado, heading into an important game against No. That makes their game against Oregon on Thursday night crucial for helping out a shaky resume.
![Elite programs stuck on the NCAA Tournament bubble](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/eC-v2QNvf_mtCVzn_ddZbjbR9Zo=/1600x1087/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/VZKT4S4QNFGD7EHFCDHZQEOVRY.jpg)
Elite programs stuck on the NCAA Tournament bubble
So is North Carolina. The Blue Devils are 8-8 and 6-6 in the ACC after beating North Carolina State on Saturday, a win that ended a three-game losing streak. The Scarlet Knights were poised to reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1991 before the tourney was canceled last season. A team on the NCAA Tournament bubble can't really afford consecutive losses late in the season. ___AP Basketball Writer Aaron Beard in Raleigh, North Carolina, contributed to this report.
![St. John's upsets No. 23 UConn 74-70 as teams renew rivalry](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/btBg0i6-evo0o9AMJ6JstW2bI9M=/1600x1085/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/FF2F73KNM5BB5ATAMRMAIOKNFM.jpg)
St. John's upsets No. 23 UConn 74-70 as teams renew rivalry
Posh Alexander scored 18 points to lead five players in double figures and the Red Storm came from behind to upset No. The Red Storm chipped away and Alexander tied the game at 59 with a pair of free throws. A 3-pointer by Earlington gave the Red Storm their first lead, 64-62, with just over four minutes left. BIG PICTURESt. John's: The Red Storm's defense, which had been forcing an average of 18 turnovers a game, got 18 on Monday. UP NEXTSt. John's: The Red Storm do not have another game scheduled until Jan. 27, when they visit DePaul.
![Unexpected win has UConn fans downing hot sauce for charity](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/KvZIuIFZFZK9XckKGJ7_FigftUA=/1600x2400/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/Y6VX5UFVIFCSXLA76SLI4GT6KQ.jpg)
Unexpected win has UConn fans downing hot sauce for charity
And so, in what has since become a viral video, Jackson, a 2006 UConn graduate who lives in Boston, posted a tweet of himself downing a large spoonful of Black Bison hot sauce, then taking another swig from the bottle, while chanting, "U-C-O-N-N, UConn, UConn, UConn." Another fan tweeted that he believed all UConn fans should follow suit, in penance for doubting their Huskies. Numerous fans began posting videos of themselves taking shots of hot sauce. One hot sauce brand got wind of the challenge and is offering discounts to participants who buy their sauce. โI mean, I'd have to celebrate with some hot sauce," he said.
![Unexpected win has UConn fans downing hot sauce for charity](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/iGtZSRlaYcwnmt1vsn6PQJlnM8Q=/1600x2400/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/JM6ARKR4JNCC5CS2VZBDQRZBAQ.jpg)
Unexpected win has UConn fans downing hot sauce for charity
And so, in what has since become a viral video, Jackson, a 2006 UConn graduate who lives in Boston, posted a tweet of himself downing a large spoonful of Black Bison hot sauce, then taking another swig from the bottle, while chanting, "U-C-O-N-N, UConn, UConn, UConn." Another fan tweeted that he believed all UConn fans should follow suit, in penance for doubting their Huskies. Numerous fans began posting videos of themselves taking shots of hot sauce. One hot sauce brand got wind of the challenge and is offering discounts to participants who buy their sauce. โI mean, I'd have to celebrate with some hot sauce," he said.