University of Connecticut Athletics
Huskies Play Host To In-State Foe CCSU On Sunday
12/26/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
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HARTFORD, Conn. - The University of Connecticut men's basketball team (5-4) returns to action on Sunday when it hosts in-state foe Central Connecticut (2-9) in Hartford at the XL Center at 1 p.m. The game will be broadcasted by SNY and it can be heard live on the UConn IMG Radio Network. The Huskies, who defeated Coppin State, 106-85, in their only other game at the XL Center this season, enter this weekend's contest with a 3-2 record at home on the year.
UConn guard Rodney Purvis (Raleigh, N.C.) matched a career-high with 21 points to lead Connecticut past Columbia, 80-65, in Bridgeport on Monday. The redshirt sophomore connected on 7-8 field goals in the victory, and he finished the game with a career-high four 3-pointers. Senior guard Ryan Boatright (Aurora, Ill.) added 20 points to tally his sixth 20-point game of the season, while sophomore center Amida Brimah (Accra, Ghana) and freshman guard Daniel Hamilton (Los Angeles) each reached double-figures against the Eagles.
The Huskies converted a season-best nine 3-pointers against Columbia, ending the game at 56.3 percent from the beyond the arc. Both teams went 16-28 from the floor in the first half before the Connecticut defense clamped down after the break. The Lions made just 10 field goals in the final 20 minutes, and they finished the game just 8-25 from the 3-point line.
Sunday's game will mark the 13th-ever meeting between UConn and CCSU dating back to 1980. Connecticut, which saw its streak of 68 straight wins over in-state opponents snapped earlier this season by Yale, sports a perfect 12-0 record all-time against the Blue Devils with 11 of the victories coming by at least 10 points.
CCSU, losers of two straight, comes into its match-up against the Huskies led by guard Matt Mobley. The sophomore has averaged 18.8 points a game this season and is one of three Blue Devils that boast double-digit point averages on the year.
Junior forward Brandon Peel leads the charge on the boards, averaging a team-best 8.8 rebounds a game for a CCSU team that sports a -2.6 rebound margin. The Blue Devils have shot just 39.3 percent from the floor and managed 58.7 points a game through nine contests this season.
After their game against Central Connecticut, the Huskies open up American Athletic Conference play with a home game against Temple on Dec. 31 at 1 p.m. in Hartford. UConn's first road game of the year will be on Jan. 3 against Florida.
