HARTFORD, Conn. — Alex Karaban was instrumental for the No. 3 UConn Huskies, contributing 17 points, five rebounds, four assists, and four blocked shots in a decisive 92-53 victory over New Hampshire on Saturday night.
Karaban’s performance included scoring four of the last six points of the first half, helping UConn secure a 35-24 lead at halftime. As the only returning starter from the team that won back-to-back national championships, he sank two early 3-pointers following halftime, allowing UConn to extend their margin against the Wildcats.
In addition to Karaban’s impressive performance, Solo Ball added 14 points, while Tarris Reed Jr. contributed 11 points and seven rebounds. Liam McNeeley also played a crucial role, finishing with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Notably, sophomore forward Jayden Ross, who missed the season opener against Sacred Heart due to an ankle injury, returned to score 14 points in 22 minutes on the court.
On the other side, New Hampshire (1-2) was led by Anthony McComb III, who scored 17 points. Sami Pissis added 15 points to the total, while Trey Woodyard chipped in with 11 points for the Wildcats.
The game highlighted some disparities in bench performance, as New Hampshire ended up with just five points from their substitutes compared to UConn’s strong 40-point contribution off the bench. This loss marks the 13th consecutive defeat for the Wildcats against the Huskies.
In the early going, UConn faced challenges shooting, but the second half saw a turnaround with the team converting 13 of their first 18 shots, including 4-for-8 from beyond the arc, showing a significant improvement in their offensive execution.
A pivotal moment in the game occurred when UConn trailed 13-12 midway through the first half. Karaban sank an open 3-pointer and subsequently assisted on a fast-break layup by Jayden Ross, which swung momentum back in favor of the Huskies, giving them a crucial four-point lead.
Looking ahead, New Hampshire will take on Fairfield University on Tuesday, while UConn will return to the XL Center for a matchup against LeMoyne on Wednesday.