University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
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Maryland Eastern Shore
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COLE LEADS HUSKIES OVER UMES, 72-63
11/30/2021 10:39:00 PM | Men's Basketball
UConn Athletic Communications / Nov. 30, 2021
HARTFORD, Conn. – The UConn men's basketball team couldn't break away from pesky Maryland Eastern Shore on Tuesday night at the XL Center, but rode the leadership of grad student R.J. Cole to a 72-63 victory.
Cole scored 25 points, his third 20-plus game in his last four outings, and played some hard-nosed on-ball defense to lead the No. 17/17 Huskies (7-1) over the UMES Hawks (2-5).
UConn took an 18-15 lead midway through the first half and never relinquished it, but couldn't stop UMES from chopping a 39-31 halftime deficit to just a single point twice, 39-38, and 42-41 in the opening minutes of the second half.
The Huskies gave themselves a 62-51 cushion with 8:10 remaining, but the Hawks refused to go away and their hot hands from the perimeter brought it down to a 66-62 UConn lead with 3:35 left.
From there, however, the Huskies' defense tightened and six straight free throws down the stretch – two by Isaiah Whaley and four by Cole – sealed the victory.
Besides his 25 points, Cole added 5 rebounds and four assists in a hard-working all-around game. Grad Tyler Polley was UConn's only other double-figure scorer with 14, while Whaley and soph Andre Jackson led the rebounding with seven boards each.
The Huskies were forced to play the game without leading rebounder and double-figure scorer Tyrese Martin, out with a sprained left wrist, while top scorer Adama Sanogo left the game with 9:10 remaining due to a lower abdominal strain.
UConn will continue its non-conference schedule on Saturday, meeting Grambling State at Gampel Pavilion. The game is scheduled for a 4 p.m. tipoff.
