The No. 25 UConn men’s basketball team (15-6, 7-3 Big East) overcame a 14-point deficit in the first half and avoided a scare at home, defeating the DePaul Blue Demons (10-12, 1-10 Big East) 72-61.
DePaul won the tip and started hot, making five of the team’s first eight shots. On the other hand, the Huskies did not have the same type of start for the first four minutes, making two of their first five shots of the game. Connecticut was outrebounded early, 5-1.
UConn’s defense was abysmal for the first 10 minutes, allowing 14 of DePaul’s first 18 points in the paint. UConn head coach Dan Hurley used a timeout at the 11:31 mark following a poor defensive breakdown that led to a layup from DePaul guard Layden Blocker. The Huskies were not strong offensively either, at one point going 2 for their last 11 shots heading into the under-12 timeout.
DePaul’s lead got to 14 after a turnover from Jaylin Stewart, which resulted in the XL Center crowd booing the team. The Huskies got good looks from distance but missed their first nine shots heading into the under-8 timeout.
“I guess that’s for the fans to decide,” Hurley said. “Whether this program and everything we’ve given them the last couple years, whether they believe that was the right thing to do.”
Aidan Mahaney kept the Huskies from being blown out in the first half, scoring eight points on 3-7 shooting.
“[Mahaney’s] first half gave us some life when we were really struggling,” Hurley said.
The Huskies found the bottom of the net late in the first half, finishing the half knocking down six of their final seven shots. However, they trailed at halftime and have only led at halftime at home since the Maryland-Eastern Shore game.
The Huskies came out of the break with more desire, quickly cutting the Blue Demons’ lead to three. That included a block and 3-pointer from Solo Ball sequence that resulted in a timeout called by DePaul head coach Chris Holtmann.
However, the Blue Demons were able to punch back and get back out to a five-point lead at the first media timeout of the second half. Even though the Huskies had a better start in the second half, DePaul still had a 23-19 edge.
Tarris Reed Jr.’s two made free throws tied the game at 44 points, the first tie since the game began. He had a terrific second half, scoring 12 of his 16 points, grabbing six rebounds, blocking two shots and stealing the ball twice. He finished hot, making his last four shots.
“[Reed Jr.] has been in a little bit of a funk,” Hurley said. “That’s the best we’ve seen [from him] since Xavier. I thought he played like a real warrior and played with honor.”
UConn had its most impactful stretch of the game, going on an 11-1 run in under two minutes to lead by seven. Ball was a major factor in the run, with an old-fashioned 3-point play to take the lead at 51-50 followed by a rare 4-point play due to a great pass from Alex Karaban.
Karaban did not have his strongest outing, going 1-14 from the field. However, Hurley noted he contributed in other ways, and he did with eight assists and six rebounds both of which led the team. Hurley also noted that Karaban showed growth and urged him to keep shooting.
“[Karaban is] not defined by his scoring in any way,” said Holtmann. “[He’s] one of the most enjoyable kids to watch as a coach.”
Stewart went down hard late in the second half but stayed into the game until being taken out to be checked by athletic trainer James Doran.
Ball had a sensational second half, scoring 14 of his 16 points which helped the Huskies outscore DePaul by 19 in the final 20 minutes.
“The last 26 minutes were UConn basketball,” Ball said, noting that Hurley referred to the last six minutes of the first half as the way he wanted the team to play.
Connecticut was much better on the glass in the second half, outrebounding the Blue Demons 16-13. 13 of the Huskies’ 15 points came in the final 20 minutes. Overall, the dismal effort on the backboard in the first half resulted in DePaul outrebounding the Huskies 33-31.
Despite an 18-point performance from Blocker, the Huskies prevailed and are now 21-1 against the Blue Demons.
The Huskies need a full 40-minute effort on Saturday night, as they travel to Milwaukee, Wis. to take on No. 9 Marquette.