Big East women’s semifinals updates: Nova survives Creighton; UConn dominates

The Big East women’s basketball tournament heats up on Sunday with a pair of semifinal matchups beginning at 3 p.m. ET at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut on FS1.

To start the day, No. 9 UConn (28-5, 18-2 Big East) defeated Marquette (21-10, 13-7 Big East) 81-52 to head to its third straight Big East title game. 

Then, No. 11 Villanova (28-5, 17-3 Big East) survived a first-half deficit and some late-game dramatics to defeat Creighton (22-8, 15-5 Big East) 63-61. Maddy Siegrist made a pair of free throws with 26 seconds remaining to put Villanova up 63-59. However, the Wildcats committed an intentional foul with 11 seconds left, giving the Blue Jays two free throws and continued possession. 

After making a pair of free throws, Lauren Jensen missed a shot for the tie with four seconds left, ensuring the win for Villanova. 

Sunday’s games set up for an exciting UConn-Villanova matchup for the Big East title on Monday at 7 p.m. ET on FS1.

You can catch up on all the action from Sunday’s semifinals right here!

No. 11 Villanova 63, Creighton 61

Beating the buzzer to open things up

Molly Mogensen drained a 3-pointer from the top of the perimeter right before the shot clock expired to get the scoring started for Creighton.

More Mogensen

Mogensen got the shooter’s bounce on her jumper to give her eight points in the game’s first four minutes. 

Maddy making the tough shot

Villanova star Maddy Siegrist got the tough jumper to fall as she was getting fouled for the 3-point play early in the second quarter. 

Emma finds her spot

Emma Ronsiek got an open spot off the dribble that helped her sink the 3-pointer to expand Creighton’s lead to 30-24 in the middle of the second quarter.

Mullin moves open

Brooke Mullin found an open spot at top of the perimeter, draining the open 3-pointer right before halftime to help Villanova cut into Creighton’s lead, 34-32.

Just enough space to get the shot off

Creighton’s Lauren Jensen opened up the half by draining a 3-pointer despite the tough defense from Villanova. 

Maddy on the move

Siegrist took the defensive rebound and pushed the ball up the court. She got into the post and decided to take a turnaround jumper that went in to give Villanova a 40-39 lead in the middle of the third quarter.

Hitting the tough shot

Jensen made the runner as she was falling down to help Creighton keep it close, making it a 51-47 game with 7:22 remaining. 

Corner Kaitlyn!

Lucy Olsen found Kaitlyn Orihel open in the corner and made the cross-court pass. Oriehl made the shot off the catch to give Villanova a 54-47 lead with seven minutes left.

30 ball

Siegrist shook off her defender to get into the paint and make the jumper to give her 30 in the game and put Villanova up 56-51 with just over five minutes left.

Creighton keeping it close

Jensen made the 3-pointer with 1:30 remaining to make it a 61-59 game in favor of Villanova. 

Villanova survives!

After getting the stop with four seconds left, Villanova was able to inbound the ball a…