The BIG EAST Sunday afternoon was filled with drama as two games were decided in overtime and another ended with a 3-pointer at the buzzer.
The day began with Connecticut playing its first BIG EAST game since 2012-13. The Huskies, hosting ninth-ranked Creighton, dropped a 76-74 decision in overtime despite a memorable performance by guard James Bouknight. The sophomore scored 40 points, one point short of the scoring record by a player in his first BIG EAST game. The Huskies (3-1, 0-1 BIG EAST) were ahead in regulation until the Bluejays’ Damien Jefferson sent the game into overtime with a basket with 0.2 seconds remaining. Creighton (6-2, 2-1 BIG EAST) placed five players in double figures led by Christian Bishop’s 19 points.
Xavier and Marquette did not go into overtime, only because the Musketeers’ Adam Kunkel nailed a deep 3-pointer at the buzzer to give Xavier a 91-88 win. A transfer from Belmont who was just recently declared eligible, Kunkel scored 22 points in just 17 minutes. Paul Scruggs led the Musketeers (8-0, 1-0 BIG EAST) with 29 points, six assists and four rebounds. Koby McEwen and Dawson Garcia paced Marquette (5-4, 1-2 BIG EAST) with 20 points each.
It was back to overtime in the third game of the afternoon. A basket by Providence’s A.J. Reeves with 3.1 seconds left in the extra period that gave the Friars (5-2, 1-0) an 80-77 victory at Seton Hall. PC’s Nate Watson posted game highs of 23 points and 11 rebounds. Sandro Mamukelashvili had 20 points for Seton Hall (5-4, 2-1 BIG EAST).
St. John’s gained its first BIG EAST win Sunday evening when the Johnnies defeated Georgetown 94-83. Greg Williams Jr. scored a career-high 26 points and Julian Champagnie added 20 points for the Johnnies (6-4, 1-3 BIG EAST). Jahvon Blair finished with 25 points, six assists and five rebounds for the Hoyas (3-4, 1-2 BIG EAST).
Butler is the only conference squad playing on Monday. The Bulldogs (1-2) host unbeaten Southern Illinois (5-0) at 7:30 p.m. ET on FS1. The matchup was put together last week due to COVID scheduling issues. Butler lost 68-60 to Indiana on Saturday. The Bulldogs have won 59 straight home games against non-league opponents, the longest streak in the nation. Butler guard Aaron Thompson is listed as questionable after missing the Indiana game with a knee injury.
BIG EAST teams own an overall record of 38-13 (.745) in non-conference play going into Monday.