University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
2-1,0-0AAC
University of Florida
2-2,0-0SEC
MBB Knocks Off No. 15 Florida
11/17/2019 7:04:00 PM | Men's Basketball
STORRS, Conn. – Senior Christian Vital registered 15 points, five assists and four rebounds and Tyler Polley added 15 points and five rebounds of his own as the UConn men's basketball team (2-1) knocked off No. 15 Florida (2-2), 62-59, in front of an electric sellout crowd Sunday afternoon at Gampel Pavilion.
Josh Carlton and Alterique Gilbert were the other two UConn players in double figures after scoring 13 and 10 points, respectively. The Huskies outrebounded the (38-37), scored more second chance points (9-5) and had two more assists than the Gators.
This was UConn's first win over a ranked opponent at Gampel since UConn beat Florida back in Dec. 2, 2013. The Gators were ranked 15th nationally back on that date too.
After Florida scored the opening six points of the game, Tyler Polley got UConn on the board with a second chance layup. On the ensuing possessions, Isaiah Whaley knocked down a jumper from the right side and Vital scored seven quick points to give UConn an 11-6 lead.
Florida responded to tie the game at 18-18 with 4:17 left in the half, but Polley's triple following an offensive rebound and feed from Vital gave UConn a lead they wouldn't relinquish for the rest of the half. The Huskies scored seven of the final nine points to take a 25-20 lead into the break.
Kerry Blackshear's three-pointer knotted the score at 29 early in the half. Polley responded with back-to-back triples of his own and then a couple plays later, Vital knocked down a pull-up jumper to open up a 39-31 lead.
The 15th-ranked Gators wouldn't go quietly and chipped their way back into the game, drawing within a point, 54-53, as the teams headed into the final media timeout.
UConn and UF traded blow for blow during the final stretch of regulation. Leading by a point with the shot clock winding down, Alterique Gilbert lulled his defender to sleep before draining a tough midrange jumper to put the Huskies up 60-57 with 1:27 remaining.
After a quick UF score, Vital got fouled and knocked down two free throws to give the Huskies a three-point lead with 17 seconds left in regulation.
Florida had a chance to send the game into overtime. Andrew Nembhard misfired on his attempt, got the rebound and kicked the ball out to Keyontae Johnson. Johnson's pass was picked off by Vital, and the senior dribbled out the clock as UConn grabbed the 62-59 victory.
