University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
9-5, 0-1
University of South Florida
11-2, 1-0
Team Stats
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
Huskies Fall in American Conference Opener
1/3/2019 12:24:00 AM | Men's Basketball
TAMPA, Fla. – In its first true road game of the season, the UConn men's basketball team dropped its conference opener to USF, 76-68, Wednesday night in Tampa Florida. UConn drops to 9-5 on the season, while USF improves to 11-2.
Senior Jalen Adams was the high point man for the Huskies, pouring in a season-high 25 points, while junior Christian Vital pitched in 16. Sophomore Alterique Gilbert posted 12 points, with Eric Cobb grabbing a team-leading seven rebounds.
UConn led 10-4 early in the first half thanks to some easy transition buckets. The Huskies extended their lead to 13, 33-20, with just under three minutes to go in the opening stanza following a Vital dunk stemming from a USF turnover. Adams and Vital combined for 20 first half points, and UConn held a 33-25 advantage at the break.
Sloppy play by the Huskies at the beginning of the second half allowed USF to chip away at the deficit. The Bulls managed to take the lead, 41-40, on a put back off a missed free throw and would push its lead to 11 with just over two minutes remaining in regulation. Adams scored 14 of his 25 points in the second frame, including a layup to bring UConn within four, 66-62, with 1:25 on the clock. Unfortunately, the rally occurred a little too late, and USF made enough plays down the stretch to earn the result.
Game Notes/Husky Highlights…
- Adams scored a team-high 25 points on 50 percent shooting from the field, while also pulling down six rebounds.
- UConn had three players in double figures, and forced 20 USF turnovers.
Next Up…
UConn returns home for a date with UCF on Saturday, Jan. 5 at the XL Center in Hartford. The game, slated for a 12 p.m. start, will be broadcast on ESPNNews.
