University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
University of Missouri - Kansas City
| Team | 1 | 2 | F |
|---|---|---|---|
| UMKC | 33 | 33 | 66 |
| UConn | 50 | 44 | 94 |
UConn Rides Hot Shooting to 94-66 Win
11/11/2018 8:53:00 PM | Men's Basketball
UConn vs. UMKCÂ - Box Score (PDF)
STORRS, Conn. – Wrapping up the on-campus portion of the 2K Empire Classic, the UConn men's basketball team cruised to a 94-66 victory over the UMKC Kangaroos Sunday evening at Gampel Pavilion.
Graduate-transfer Tarin Smith led the offense with 22 points off the bench on a highly-efficient 10-for-12 clip from the field, while also grabbing five rebounds. Senior Jalen Adams added 20 points of his own, while Alterique Gilbert and Tyler Polley each tallied 12. Showcasing its depth, the UConn bench combined for 36 points off the bench.
After falling behind 10-6 early, the Huskies (2-0) outscored the Kangaroos (0-3) 46-23, including a 25-3 run, over the final 16 minutes of the first half to head into the break with a 50-33 lead.
UMKC began the second half much more aggressive, using a 13-8 run to cut the deficit to 15 points with just over 12 minutes remaining. That would be the closest the Kangaroos would get the rest of the night – The Huskies turned up the defensive intensity and nailed 9-of-10 shots from the field as they ballooned their lead back up to 27 points, 79-52, heading into the under-eight media timeout. UConn outscored UMKC 44-33 in the final frame for its second victory of the season.
Husky Highlights/Game Notes:
- Tarin Smith's 10 makes eclipsed his previous career-high of nine field goals made in a game.
- The Huskies shot an impressive 53 percent from the field and 43 percent from beyond the arc.
- UConn's stingy defense was on display all evening as the team forced 18 turnovers and converted those miscues into 27 points.
- The 28-point win is the largest margin of victory for the Huskies since their 81-60 victory over USF back on Jan. 25, 2017.
- UConn scored 90 points for the first time since putting up 97 in a Feb. 8 contest against USF back in 2017.
What's Next?
UConn heads to the Big Apple for the final two games of the 2K Empire Classic. The Huskies will face Syracuse on Thursday Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. and either Oregon or Iowa on Friday Nov. 16 at 4:30/6:30.
