University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
8-5,5-5Big East
Providence College
10-10,6-8Big East
Cole Scores 14 Points and Martin Adds 13 in 70-59 Loss at Providence
2/10/2021 6:37:00 PM | Men's Basketball
PROVIDENCE - The junior tandem of R.J. Cole and Tyrese Martin scored 14 and 13 points respectively, but it was not enough as the University of Connecticut men's basketball team dropped a 70-59 decision at Providence on Wednesday evening. With the loss, UConn slips to 8-5 on the year and a level 5-5 in BIG EAST play. The Friars improve to 10-10 overall and 6-8 in the league.Â
Cole added six assists and two steals to go along with his team high and Martin was one rebound shy of a double-double. Freshman Adama Sanogo chipped in with nine points, eight rebounds and five blocks while classmate Andre Jackson added six points and four rebounds.
"For the level of this league and the challenge it presents, Adama displayed today, and every day in practice, that he is a guy who is BIG EAST caliber and can help us get back to the top of the league," head coach Dan Hurley said.
The Huskies trailed by as many as six points, 24-18, after A.J. Reeves made a three-pointer with 7:09 left in the first half. But Martin answered with a triple of his own on the next possession to spark a 9-0 UConn run over the next 2:20 and took a 27-24 lead with under five-minutes left and held a 34-33 edge at the break.
The Friars quickly regained the lead in the second half and expanded it to nine points, 54-44, with 9:49 remaining in regulation. The Huskies did not lay down though and fought back to within three points, 58-55 with 3:57 to go on the strength of an 11-4 spurt. That was as close as the Huskies would get though as Providence kept UConn at arm's length en route to the 70-59 win. Â
The Huskies shot just 40.3 percent from the field and were 4-20 from long range while the Friars held a 39-34 edge on the glass. UConn did hold a 34-24 advantage in the paint and a 14-11 edge in points off turnovers.
UConn is back in action on Saturday, February 13 when the team travels to Cincinnati to take on Xavier. Game time is set for 12 p.m. in the Queen City.
