UConn Triumphs Over Butler
INDIANAPOLIS — In a competitive matchup on Wednesday night, No. 6 UConn triumphed over Butler with a score of 80-70, led by standout performances from Solo Ball and Tarris Reed Jr. Ball, who was impressive from beyond the arc, netted 24 points and made 50% of his three-point attempts, sinking 6 out of 12. Reed contributed significantly as well, recording a double-double with 16 points, coupled with 10 rebounds and seven assists.
Key Performances
Returning to his home state for the first time in a college setting, UConn guard Braylon Mullins showcased his skills by scoring 15 points, 13 of which came in a strong first half. This victory was vital for UConn (23-2, 13-1 Big East), allowing them to recover from a recent defeat against St. John’s and placing them a half-game ahead of the Red Storm in the conference standings.
Butler’s Struggles
On the other side, Butler’s Drayton Jones led his team with 15 points, while Yohan Traore supported with 14, but the Bulldogs struggled, suffering their fifth consecutive loss, now standing at 13-12 overall and 4-10 in the conference.
Game Challenges
UConn faced challenges throughout the game, particularly with foul trouble affecting player Alex Karaban, who spent significant time on the bench after picking up two fouls early in the first half, concluding the game with only six points and five rebounds. In the second half, foul issues persisted for UConn as Butler remained in the bonus situation for nearly the last ten minutes. Despite this, the Huskies managed to pull ahead with a 7-0 surge at the beginning of the second half, widening their lead from three points to eight.
Butler managed to stay close, narrowing the gap to just two points at 64-62 when Michael Ajayi scored a mid-range jumper with under seven minutes left.
Decisive Moments
However, the Huskies secured their win with a decisive 10-0 run that extended the lead to 74-62 within the last five minutes, featuring key shots from Ball and Silas Demary Jr., along with a layup from Karaban. This victory marks Coach Dan Hurley’s 12th consecutive win against Butler since he took the helm at UConn and continues their unbeaten streak at Hinkle Fieldhouse, bringing it to 6-0.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, UConn is set to host Georgetown this Saturday, while Butler will play against Seton Hall on Sunday.
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