WATCH: Former UConn star escapes to student section after ejection

During the NBA All-Star Break, former UConn star James Bouknight headed back to his alma mater for Saturday’s game against Xavier. But he got ejected from his seat — and that’s when he got creative to stay in the arena.

Bouknight acted like he was heading out of the building, but tried to sneak up to the student section to take in the rest of the game. He received a round of applause for heading up there.

Hey, you have to give him credit for creativity.

😂 can’t kick Bouknight out pic.twitter.com/DuWTxJn1IF

— haley 🥀 (@__haleys) February 19, 2022

Bouknight starred for UConn from 2019-21, averaging 15.0 points and 4.7 rebounds for the Huskies in 43 career games, including 30 starts. The Charlotte Hornets drafted him No. 11 overall in the 2021 NBA Draft and has played in 28 games so far this year. In 10.6 minutes per game, he’s averaging 5.0 points per game.

UConn ended up winning the matchup with Xavier 72-61 to improve to 18-7 overall and 9-5 in Big East action. The Huskies currently sit 2.5 games back of Providence and Villanova for first place in the league standings.

UConn has four games remaining before the Big East tournament, starting with a game against Villanova Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET.

UConn a No. 6 seed in ESPN’s latest Bracketology ahead of crucial weekend of college basketball

Saturday will mark the penultimate Saturday in the month of February, with March just around the corner. The bubble is getting smaller and smaller for some teams, with a huge weekend of college basketball upcoming. Before the games, ESPN updated their bracketology with Joe Lunardi.

Last four in (with byes): Iowa State, Oklahoma, Rutgers, San Francisco

Last four in: Memphis, North Carolina, Michigan, Creighton

First four out: BYU, Oregon, SMU, San Diego State

Next four out: Kansas State, Florida, Belmont, Virginia Tech

West Region

1. Gonzaga vs. 16. Norfolk State/New Orleans
8. Wyoming vs. 9. Murray State

5. Alabama vs. 12. North Carolina/Creighton
4. Wisconsin vs. 13. Iona

6. LSU vs. 11. San Francisco
3. UCLA vs. 14. Seattle

7. Marquette vs. 10. Loyola Chicago
2. Texas Tech vs. 15. Long Beach State

East Region

1. Kansas vs. 16. Cleveland State
8. Boise State vs. 9. Miami

5. Houston vs. 12. North Texas
4. Illinois vs. 13. Ohio

6. USC vs. 11. Rutgers
3. Providence vs. 14. Texas State

7. Iowa vs. 10. TCU
2. Kentucky vs. 15. Colgate

Midwest Region

1. Auburn vs. 16. UNC Wilmington/Southern
8. Seton Hall vs. 9. Notre Dame

5. Ohio State vs. 12. Chattanooga
4. Texas vs. 13. South Dakota State

6. Arkansas vs. 11. Oklahoma
3. Villanova vs. 14. Wagner

7. Colorado State vs. 10. Iowa State
2. Purdue vs. 15. Jacksonville State

South Region

1. Arizona vs. 16. Longwood
8. Saint Mary’s vs. 9. Wake Forest

5. Michigan State vs. 12. Davidson
4. Tennessee vs. 13. Vermont

6. UConn vs. 11. Memphis/Michigan
3. Baylor vs. 14. Montana State

7. Xavier vs. 10. Indiana
2. Duke vs. 15. Yale