University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
University of Central Florida
Late Rally Not Enough as UConn Falls to UCF, 73-67
1/31/2019 11:43:00 PM | Men's Basketball
ORLANDO, Fla. – Despite a monstrous performance from senior Jalen Adams and a late second-half rally, the UConn men's basketball team fell to UCF, 73-67, Thursday night at CFE Arena. UConn drops to 12-9 on the year, while UCF improves to 16-4.
Adams led the UConn offense as he finished with 27 points, including 22 in the second half. Christian Vital added 13 points for the Huskies, with Tarin Smith chipping in 11 of his own. Sophomore big man Josh Carlton controlled the glass for the visitors, finishing with a team-high 11 rebounds.
UCF got off to a strong start, and led 26-11 following a fast break layup from Colin Smith. UConn cut into the deficit after Josh Carlton scored inside and Tarin Smith and Jalen Adams both cashed in from beyond the arc, but the Huskies still trailed by a dozen at the intermission, 34-22.
UConn pulled within seven, 39-32, to start the second half after back-to-back triples from Adams and sophomore Tyler Polley. Both teams traded baskets over the course of the next four minutes, with UCF building its lead back up to 12 at 12:23. The Huskies responded, using a quick 10-2 run – capped off by a pull up three from Jalen Adams – to draw within two, 58-56, with just under five minutes remaining. The Huskies made it a two possession game with 58 seconds left after a three-point play from Christian Vital, but UCF hit nine free throws down the stretch to close out the result.
Game Notes/Husky Highlights…
- Jalen Adams tallied his 11th 20+ point game this season
- UConn outscored UCF in second chance (15-12) and fast break (17-16) points.
Next Up…
UConn will begin February at home, playing host to ECU in an American Athletic Conference game at the XL Center in Hartford on Sunday, Feb. 3. The game is scheduled for a 2 p.m. tipoff and will be televised on ESPNews.
