University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
Tennessee
Huskies Top Vols 72-61 Behind Lamb's 16 Points
1/22/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 22, 2011
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Hartford, Conn. - Jeremy Lamb and Kemba Walker each scored 16 points and the No. 8 University of Connecticut hit nine three-pointers as the eighth-ranked Huskies outlasted Tennessee, 72-61, Saturday afternoon before a sellout crowd of 16,294 at the XL Center.
The Huskies, winners of five straight, are now 16-2 while the Volunteers are now 12-7 on the season.
Connecticut led by one, at 52-51 with 8:35 to play, when the Huskies seized control of the game. Roscoe Smith made one of his career-high four three-pointers, and after a Volunteer turnover, Charles Okwandu grabbed a rebound a knocked in a short jump shot to put the Huskies ahead by six. After another Volunteer turnover, Alex Oriakhi laid in a Shabazz Napier jumper to put the Huskies comfortably ahead, at 59-51, with 6:35 remaining. Tennessee got no closer than five points the rest of the way.
Walker, who entered the contest as the nation's second-leading scorer, struggled from the field making just six-of 17 shots, but he dished out a game-best seven assists. For the first time this season, Walker was not Connecticut's sole leading scorer. Lamb had 16 points, making six-of-10 from the field, and half of his four three-point offerings.
Smith finished with 12 points, while Oriakhi had his seventh double-double of the campaign with 12 points and a game-high 10 rebounds. He also added a career-high three steals.
Tennessee led by as many as eight in the opening half, the last at 21-13, before the Huskies stormed back to take the lead on a three-pointer by Smith with 2:04 to play before intermission. Walker finished the half strong for the Huskies, making a jumper with 1:23 to play and a long three-pointer at the buzzer that enabled the Huskies to take a 32-31 lead into the locker room.
The Huskies received big boosts off of the bench from both Jamal Coombs-McDaniel and Okwandu. Coombs-McDaniel made two three-pointers 29 seconds apart while Okwandu was a presence in the lane all afternoon long. He finished with six points and five rebounds.
Melvin Goins led the Vols with 15 points, six rebounds and five assists. Scotty Hopson chipped in with 13 for Tennessee.
The Huskies, who have now completed the non-conference portion of their schedule with a 12-0 mark, will return to action on Tuesday, January 25 when they travel to play at league foe Marquette. Tip-off is set for 9:00 p.m. and the game will be televised by SNY.
