In an exciting game at Storrs, Connecticut, Alex Karaban emerged as the star by scoring 21 points, including a crucial 3-pointer with just 23.7 seconds remaining, leading UConn to a 72-66 victory over the 20th-ranked Marquette on Wednesday night.
Liam McNeeley added impact with 11 points, while Samson Johnson contributed a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds for the Huskies. UConn’s win brings them level with Marquette for third place in the Big East standings, also granting them the tiebreaker after dominating the season series.
Solo Ball and Hassan Diarra each chipped in with 10 points, bolstering the defending NCAA champions who now boast a five-game winning streak against Marquette.
For the Golden Eagles, David Joplin and Kam Jones stood out with 23 and 21 points respectively. However, it wasn’t enough to fend off the assertive Huskies.
UConn launched a formidable 10-point run featuring power plays from Jaylin Stewart, Tarris Reed Jr., and Johnson, seizing a 61-54 lead with 7:49 on the clock.
The game faced a brief delay of 22 minutes due to unexpected facility issues, as announced by UConn officials.
Looking forward, Marquette might face Xavier in a potential 4-5 matchup for the quarterfinals of the Big East Tournament next week at Madison Square Garden, pending results this weekend. Meanwhile, UConn demonstrated their tenacity with Karaban, Johnson, and Diarra proving their mettle as they head into the postseason.
A pivotal play unfolded when the Huskies held a narrow one-point advantage. Karaban received a pass from Reed and executed a pivotal 3-pointer, extending their lead to 70-66. Diarra’s late free throws sealed the victory, marking UConn’s fifth win against a ranked team this season.
Dominating the boards, UConn outrebounded Marquette 44-29, including a significant 19-8 advantage on offensive rebounds, and kept their opponents to a mere 13.6% shooting from beyond the arc.
Up next for UConn is their final regular season game at home against Seton Hall, who sit at the bottom of the standings. Marquette, on the other hand, will face No. 6 St. John’s, already declared the Big East champions.
