University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
5-1,2-1Big East
Marquette
6-6,2-4Big East
Polley, Whaley Lead Men’s Hoops to 65-54 Win at Marquette
1/5/2021 11:47:00 PM | Men's Basketball
MILWAUKEE - Senior Tyler Polley scored a career-high 23 points and tied a career best with five made three pointers to lead the University of Connecticut men's basketball team to a 65-54 comeback victory against Marquette on January 5 in Milwaukee. With the win, the Huskies improve to 5-1 on the year, including 2-1 in BIG EAST play. The Golden Eagles slip to 6-6 overall and 2-4 in the loop.
Polley was outstanding off the bench for the Huskies as his career-high 23 points came on 8-12 shooting and in only 24-minutes of action.
"Tyler is as good of a guy you can coach and is the most diligent worker," head coach Dan Hurley said. "Anytime one of the good guys delivers at that level you're so happy because it couldn't happen to a better guy."
Classmate Isaiah Whaley also had a standout evening with 15 points on 7-10 shooting to go along with 13 rebounds.
"Isaiah was awesome today. I've been begging him to shoot more pick and pops and more three-pointers," Hurley said. "But Isaiah was tremendous, especially against a great front line like Marquette has."
UConn out-rebounded Marquette 42-28, including 15-9 on the offensive glass and held a 10-6 edge in second chance points.
The Huskies trailed by 18 points with 16-minutes remaining in the second half after Marquette scored the first 10 points of the second stanza.
But UConn fought back and went on a 22-4 run to seize control of the game and outscored the Golden Eagles 42-13 over the final 16-minutes seal the victory.
"It was like a boxer getting off the stool after getting rocked," Hurley said. "We showed a lot of character and our more experienced guys led us to this win."
The Huskies held the Golden Eagles to 38.6 shooting, including 27.8 percent from long range.
UConn jumped out to an 8-4 lead after Josh Carlton converted on a dunk with 13:53 left in the first half. However, Marquette embarked on a 16-2 run over the next 6:20 and seized a 20-10 lead on a Theo John jumper.
The Golden Eagles held the Huskies at arm's length for the remainder of the first half and took a 31-23 lead at intermission.
The Huskies return to action Saturday, January 9 when the team travels to Indianapolis to take on Butler. Game time is set for 4 p.m. and the contest will be televised nationally on CBS Sports Network.
