University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
11-4,2-2Big East
St. John's
9-5,1-2Big East
HUSKIES OUTDUEL ST. JOHN'S IN OVERTIME
1/13/2022 1:07:00 AM | Men's Basketball
UConn Athletic Communications / Jan. 12, 2022
STORRS, Conn. – It looks like 40 minutes is just not enough of a game for the UConn men's basketball team.
For the fourth time this season, and for the second consecutive game, the Huskies went into overtime Wednesday night at Gampel Pavilion, pulling out an 86-78 overtime victory over St. John's. It was UConn's third win in four overtime games this season, including a double-overtime triumph over now-No. 4 Auburn in the Battle 4 Atlantis back in November.
Wednesday, UConn (11-4 overall, 2-2 BIG EAST) bounced back from last Saturday's overtime loss at Seton Hall with a determined effort in the extra session, outscoring the Red Storm, 15-7, to even its conference mark. St. John's falls to 9-5 overall, 1-2 in the league.
UConn sophomore forward Adama Sanogo was immense throughout, pouring in 26 points on 10-of-17 shooting, grabbing a career-high 18 rebounds, and tying a career-high with 6 blocked shots.
"Yeah, we're a better team when Adama plays," UConn coach Dan Hurley quipped afterward. "He was just a monster tonight."
Still, the Huskies needed everything Sanogo could give as well as outstanding support from guards R.J. Cole (19 points, 8 assists, 4 charges drawn), Tyrese Martin (11 points), and Andre Jackson (11 points) to hold off the stubborn Red Storm, who refused to go away and fought back to take the lead with 0:04.8 remaining in regulation time on a clutch three-pointer by star Julian Champagnie (27 points).
Trailing 62-54 with 5:15 to go, St. John's canned five three-pointers in the last 5:00, the last by Champagnie to grab a 71-70 lead. UConn's long inbounds pass was knocked out of bounds by St. John's, gibing the Huskies possession in the frontcourt with 0:04.1 left.
Martin missed on a strong drive to the hoop, by Sanogo outfought everybody for the offensive rebound and was fouled with 0:01.3 remaining. He hit one of two free throws to send the game to overtime.
St. John's scored first in overtime, but UConn then took control with 11 unanswered points from four different players to take an 82-73 lead and put the game away. An outside jumper by Martin and two free throws by Cole sealed the victory.
UConn is scheduled to return to action Saturday afternoon (2 p.m.) at Providence, but Covid issues within the Providence program have put the game in jeopardy.
