Creighton Stuns Louisville in First-Round March Madness Showdown
March Madness 2025 delivered a thrilling opening day, and one of the biggest surprises came when No. 9 Creighton dominated No. 8 Louisville in a commanding 89-75 victory. From the moment the ball tipped off, the Blue Jays came out with relentless energy, building a 15-point halftime lead that Louisville just couldn't overcome.
Creighton set the tone early, controlling the pace and hitting key shots that kept the Cardinals on their heels. By halftime, the scoreboard read 49-34, and despite several attempts from Louisville to mount a comeback, Creighton never let up. The lead never dipped below double digits in the second half, showcasing the Blue Jays' composure and discipline under pressure. Louisville had a moment of hope late in the game, cutting the deficit to 12 points with just under five minutes remaining. But that flicker of momentum was extinguished when Louisville head coach Pat Kelsey received a technical foul while protesting a non-call on a missed three-pointer by Terrence Edwards Jr. The frustration boiled over, leading to an unexpected pause in the game when a Louisville fan threw a full water bottle onto the court near the Creighton bench. The delay only added to the Cardinals’ woes, as Creighton capitalized with two free throws and a quick basket to push the lead back to 16.
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For Creighton, it was a night to remember. Steven Ashworth led the charge with 22 points, but the real breakout star was Jamiya Neal, who exploded for a career-high 29 points and 11 rebounds. Before this game, Neal had only surpassed the 20-point mark four times all season. His dominant performance was the key factor in securing Creighton's win and setting up a likely second-round showdown against No. 1 seed Auburn.
On the other side, Louisville’s season came to an abrupt and disappointing end. The Cardinals had entered the tournament with high expectations, finishing second in the ACC with an impressive 27-7 record. Many believed they were under-seeded as a No. 8 team, especially after pushing Duke to the limit in the ACC Championship game. But their tournament journey was cut short as Creighton completely dismantled their game plan.
Adding to the heartbreak, Louisville’s loss shattered the dreams of many fans who had picked them in their brackets. Over 56% of Yahoo Bracket Mayhem users had the Cardinals advancing past the first round, only to watch their predictions crumble.
With this emphatic victory, Creighton has sent a strong message to the rest of the tournament field: they are here to play. If their first-round performance is any indication, the Blue Jays could be poised for a deep tournament run. All eyes will be on their next matchup as they look to keep the magic alive in March Madness 2025.
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