UCONN came out with unusual Chemistry and Consistent effort in the 1st half vs USF in this AAC Tourney opener. It was marked by amazing streaks of offense by TS, (7 pts), then JA 3x3 pointers, and 4 treys from Vital.
Total 9 treys in 1st half for AAC Tourney record. Two quick fouls on JC relegated him to the bench for the last 14 minutes of the half. Whaley contributed 6 pts and led us with 4 boards. Game was played before only family & a few friends. USF's plan to lay off the 3 point defense led to our amazing 3 point offense. We seemed to work together in the first half with few awkward moments
and plenty of energy defensively and surprisingly 9 assists on 14 made field goals! Middle of 1st half had us on remarkable 30-8 run.
2nd half had more of the same UCONN energy and teamwork combined with near unconscious shooting. Adams return has seemed to lift us into an unusual state of unselfishness these last 2 games. When he went out with his 4th foul we didn't wilt. We continued our movement on the offensive end which got us open for makeable shots.
With 4:06 Adams got his 5th and we were still up 70-55. We lost our focus a bit in the last 3 minutes as USF cut it to 7 at 70-63 with 1:51 left. Smith went to the line on a drive and got one of two for 71-63. Nailbiting continued as TS missed two more free throws. It was 71-65 with a minute to go.
A Wilson lay-in got us back up by 8 with 42 seconds. An enthused USF hit a 3 to cut it back to 73-68. Fortunately Vital hit 2 big free throws to get us back up 7 points at 75-68.
Wilson hit 2 BIG ONES from the line to get us back up 8 with ~ 24 seconds 77-69.
Adams fouling out left us with 4 minutes of
poor ball security and questionable decision making. Fortunately we held on for an 80-73 victory. Perhaps not a full "carpet" but at least a "welcome mat" magical ride by our Huskies since Jalen's return.
Total 9 treys in 1st half for AAC Tourney record. Two quick fouls on JC relegated him to the bench for the last 14 minutes of the half. Whaley contributed 6 pts and led us with 4 boards. Game was played before only family & a few friends. USF's plan to lay off the 3 point defense led to our amazing 3 point offense. We seemed to work together in the first half with few awkward moments
and plenty of energy defensively and surprisingly 9 assists on 14 made field goals! Middle of 1st half had us on remarkable 30-8 run.
2nd half had more of the same UCONN energy and teamwork combined with near unconscious shooting. Adams return has seemed to lift us into an unusual state of unselfishness these last 2 games. When he went out with his 4th foul we didn't wilt. We continued our movement on the offensive end which got us open for makeable shots.
With 4:06 Adams got his 5th and we were still up 70-55. We lost our focus a bit in the last 3 minutes as USF cut it to 7 at 70-63 with 1:51 left. Smith went to the line on a drive and got one of two for 71-63. Nailbiting continued as TS missed two more free throws. It was 71-65 with a minute to go.
A Wilson lay-in got us back up by 8 with 42 seconds. An enthused USF hit a 3 to cut it back to 73-68. Fortunately Vital hit 2 big free throws to get us back up 7 points at 75-68.
Wilson hit 2 BIG ONES from the line to get us back up 8 with ~ 24 seconds 77-69.
Adams fouling out left us with 4 minutes of
poor ball security and questionable decision making. Fortunately we held on for an 80-73 victory. Perhaps not a full "carpet" but at least a "welcome mat" magical ride by our Huskies since Jalen's return.