University of Connecticut Athletics
Huskies Set To Host Columbia In Bridgeport On Monday
12/21/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Game Notes | | Live Stream (WatchESPN) | Radio
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. - The University of Connecticut men's basketball team (4-4) resumes its home schedule on Monday at 7:30 p.m. against Columbia (6-3) at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport. The game is set to be broadcasted by SNY, and it can also be heard live on the UConn IMG Radio Network. The Huskies, who are 2-2 at home this season, sport an all-time record of 7-2 against the Lions in a series that dates back to 1953.
UConn fell to No. 2 Duke, 66-56, at the IZOD Center in New Jersey on Thursday despite a game-high 22 points from senior guard Ryan Boatright (Aurora, Ill.). Connecticut forced 19 turnovers and held the Blue Devils to just 37.5 percent shooting, but the Huskies were unable to keep Duke off the free throw line down the stretch. The Blue Devils finished the contest 25-34 from the line, while UConn managed just 13 free throws, connecting on seven of them.
Sophomore forward Kentan Facey (Trelawny, Jamaica) joined Boatright in double-figures, as he finished with 14 points, while freshman guard Daniel Hamilton (Los Angeles, Calif.) added 10 points, registering double-digit point efforts for the sixth time in the last seven games. UConn finished the game with a slight edge in field goal percentage (42.6), but Connecticut struggled from the 3-point line, connecting on only 3-12 attempts.
Columbia enters Monday's game with an even 2-2 record in its last four games after starting out the season 4-1. Two of its three losses were decided by two or less points, and the Lions' third loss of the season came at the hands of No. 1 Kentucky (56-46) on Dec. 10.
The Lions defeated Hofstra, 82-77, on Saturday behind a game-high 29 points from guard Maodo Lo, who knocked down seven 3-pointers in the victory. Lo is the only Lion to average double-figures (17.6) this season for a Columbia team that ranks third in the country in scoring defense (50.8). Opponents have shot just 37.4 percent against the Lions, who have allowed 3.4 three-pointers a contest on the year.
Monday's game marks the second straight year that UConn will play at the Webster Bank Arena. The Huskies downed Eastern Washington, 82-65, last season at the arena, as five Huskies finished in double-figures in the victory. After Monday's game against the Lions, Connecticut will round out its December slate with home games against Central Connecticut (Dec. 28) and Temple (Dec. 31) before opening its road schedule against Florida on Jan. 3.
