University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
12-6,9-6Big East
Marquette
11-13,6-11Big East
MBB SECURES BIG EAST TOURNEY BYE WITH WIN OVER MARQUETTE
2/27/2021 6:27:00 PM | Men's Basketball
UConn Athletic Communications / Feb. 27, 2021
STORRS, Conn – The surging UConn backcourt of sophomore James Bouknight and junior R.J. Cole combined for 45 points as the men's basketball Huskies secured a first-round bye at the BIG EAST Tournament with a dominating 80-62 victory over Marquette on Saturday at Gampel Pavilion.
Bouknight scored 24 points, 16 in the second half, and Cole poured in 21 and added three assists as the Huskies captured their fourth win in their last five outings.
With the win, UConn (12-6 overall, 9-6 BIG EAST) assured itself of finishing no lower than fifth in the BIG EAST final regular-season standings. The top five teams receive a bye to the quarterfinals, meaning the Huskies will not play their first game in the BIG EAST tourney until Thursday, March 11.
"We've come a long way," UConn coach Dan Hurley said. "I don't think people understand how far we've come in three years to this point. These kids deserve so much credit. They've done an incredible job."
After a slow start Saturday, the Huskies did just that – taking over the lead with a 19-4 explosion midway through the first half, turning an 11-6 deficit into a 25-15 lead, mostly on the hot shooting of Cole. The Huskies didn't stop there, build the margin to 38-21 at halftime.
"When you get the midrange shot going , it opens up the floor," Cole said. "I', trying to be more confident in the shots I've been taking."
Marquette (11-13, 6-11) tried to mount a second-half comeback, but could come no closer than 11, 52-41, with 9:56 remaining. From there, UConn was never in danger. It was UConn's second win over Marquette this year, following UConn's 65-54 triumph in Milwaukee. Freshman of the Year candidate Dawson Garcia led the Golden Eagle with 18 points and 8 rebounds.
No other UConn player reached double figures, but senior Tyler Polley added 9 points and junior Tyrese Martin and freshman Andre Jackson each contributed eight rebounds.
"It was a good win," Hurley said. "Obviously, this was a game that we really needed to be at our best defensively and be sharp offensively. When your backcourt gives you that and you guard, you're hard to beat."
The Huskies return to action on Wednesday, March 3, in their final true road game of the season at Seton Hall, they team sitting ahead of the Huskies in third place in the BIG EAST. The game is set for a 6:30 p.m. start at the Prudential Center. Â
Hurley is expecting a battle in new Jersey: "They're going to be desperate, we're going to be desperate, I know that."
