University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
10-9,1-5AAC
University of Tulsa
14-6,6-1AAC
UConn Drops Overtime Contest to Tulsa
1/26/2020 7:26:00 PM | Men's Basketball
HARTFORD, Conn. – The UConn men's basketball team was tripped up Sunday afternoon, falling in overtime to the Tulsa Golden Hurricane, 79-75, at the XL Center.
Four players ended the game in double-figures for the Huskies, led by freshman James Bouknight who dropped 16 points. Akok Akok notched 13 points, seven rebounds and a career-high seven blocks, Sidney Wilson contributed 12 points and seven boards, and Christian Vital added 11 points and seven rebounds of his own to round out the quartet.
With the score tied 9-9 at the 11:05 mark, the Huskies grabbed a 15-11 lead after Alterique Gilbert, and Brendan Adams nailed back-to-back triples. The Golden Hurricane responded, putting together a 17-8 run to go into the half on top 28-23.
After finding themselves down nine early in the second, the Huskies used a 15-2 run to catapult themselves to a 47-43 lead with 8:51 to play in the half. Bouknight kickstarted the run with a pair of free throws, then capped it off by draining a tough runner in the paint. Tulsa kept coming and eventually retook a two-point lead after a pair of free throws from Martins Igbanu.
Akok Akok's corner trey the Huskies back in front and Vital made two free throws to push the UConn lead to three, but Jeriah Horne nailed a triple with 1:55 left to level the score. The visitors led 61-58, but Vital drew contact on his three-point attempt and sunk all three free throws to send the game into overtime.
Tulsa opened up a seven-point lead in the extra session but Vital and Bouknight each notched buckets to keep the Huskies within striking distance. Vital's driving layup halted a 6-0 Tulsa run, then Bouknight knocked down a transition three to pull UConn within 70-66 with 1:24 to play. The Huskies cut the Northeastern lead down to four twice more, but the visitors knocked down free throws late to secure the outcome.
