STORRS, Conn.
— In a thrilling match, Hassan Diarra led the way for the No. 11 UConn Huskies with 19 points and eight assists, helping the team stage a remarkable second-half rally to defeat the Providence Friars 87-84. This victory not only marked a significant comeback from a 14-point deficit but also extended UConn’s impressive home winning streak to 28 games.
Alongside Diarra, Solo Ball contributed 16 points, while Aidan Mahaney and Tarris Reed Jr. played crucial roles in the second half, scoring 15 and 10 points respectively, with Reed accounting for all his points after halftime. Alex Karaban added 13 points, showcasing UConn’s balanced offensive effort. On the other side, Jayden Pierre was the standout for Providence, delivering a strong performance with 24 points, while Wesley Cardet supported with 18.
The Friars showcased their tenacity, finishing the first half with a burst, scoring the last nine points, while UConn struggled, hitting only one of their last ten attempts. Providence managed to extend their lead to 14 points at the beginning of the second half. However, UConn rallied back impressively, featuring a 16-2 run capped off by Reed’s six points that turned the tide, granting the Huskies a 64-60 lead.
UConn faced the challenge without Liam McNeeley, their second-leading scorer, who suffered a high ankle sprain during a previous game against DePaul. Coach Dan Hurley indicated that McNeeley’s recovery would take “weeks, not days.” Providence was also without their top scorer, Bryce Hopkins, who has been sidelined due to a knee injury, limiting his appearances this season to just three games.
Takeaways from the game highlight Providence’s resilience, nearly toppling the reigning Big East champions despite missing a key player in Hopkins. For UConn, the contributions from bench players Reed and Mahaney were instrumental in maintaining their unbeaten streak in conference play.
A pivotal moment occurred when Mahaney scored in the lane with 9:08 left on the clock, followed by drawing an offensive foul that allowed the Huskies to tie the game at 60.
A noteworthy statistic from the game was UConn’s defensive pressure, compelling Providence to miss 10 of their 11 shots during a challenging stretch in the second half. The Friars struggled overall in that period, missing 16 of their first 24 attempts.
Looking ahead, Providence will host Butler on Wednesday, while UConn is set to face Villanova on the same day.
