University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
University of Cincinnati
Men’s Basketball Edged by Cincinnati, 74-72, in Overtime Thriller
1/12/2019 11:44:00 PM | Men's Basketball
STORRS, Conn. – Despite a valiant effort and four players finishing the game in double figures, the UConn men's basketball team dropped a 74-72 overtime thriller to the Cincinnati Bearcats Saturday night.
Sophomore Alterique Gilbert paced the Huskies with 18 points, six rebounds and three assists, while junior Christian Vital finished the game with a double-double, posting 16 points and 10 boards. Jalen Adams contributed 16 points, six assists and five rebound of his own, with Josh Carlton rounding out the group of Huskies in double figure with 10 points to go along with nine rebounds.
The Huskies and Bearcats battled in a tightly contested first half, with Cincinnati holding a slim, one point edge at the break, 33-32. UConn opened up an early 11-5 lead with Adams, Polley and Vital each sinking triples to start the game. Cincinnati fought back to cut its deficit to two, 19-17, at the under-eight media timeout, and then used a 12-5 run to take a 28-24 lead. The Huskies responded, nailing back-to-back threes to close the gap to a point at the intermission.
The home team led by as many as 11 points, 46-35, in the second half, but UConn fought back with a 13-3 run to draw within a point, 49-48 with just under eight minutes to go. Cincinnati attempted to regain some breathing room and increased its lead to 56-48, but the Huskies refused to go away. Jalen Adams cashed in from distance and then Vital followed up with back-to-back treys of his own to give UConn a 57-56 lead with 4:39 left in regulation.
Cincinnati took a 61-57 lead with two minutes to go, but once again Gilbert had the answer. The sophomore guard buried a three to bring UConn within a point, 61-60, and then converted on a tough, double-clutch layup as time expired to tie the score at 62 and send the game into overtime.
In overtime, the conference foes traded baskets and free throws throughout the five minute period. Trailing 74-72, UConn had an opportunity to tie or take the lead, but ultimately, the Huskies were unable to capitalize.
Game Notes/Husky Highlights…
- Four UConn players finished the game in double-figures, led by Alterique Gilbert with 18 points.
- Christian Vital posted his second double-double of the season, finishing with 16 points and 10 boards.
- The Huskies shot 81 percent (13-16) from the charity stripe and 41 percent (11-27) from beyond the arc.
Next Up…
The second of UConn's back-to-back road trips takes place in Tulsa, as the Huskies meet the Golden Hurricane in an AAC game at the Reynolds Center on Wednesday, Jan. 16. The game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. tip-off and will be televised on ESPNews.
