Alex Karaban collected 19 points and 10 rebounds and Solo Ball added 18 points to fuel fourth-ranked UConn to a 79-55 season-opening victory over in-state foe New Haven on Monday in Storrs, Conn.
All-Big East Preseason First Team members Karaban and Ball combined to sink six 3-pointers and all 11 of their free-throw attempts.
Jaylin Stewart recorded 11 points and eight rebounds and Georgia transfer Silas Demary. Jr. had 10 points for the Huskies, who spoiled the Division I debut of the Chargers.
UConn played without All-Big East Preseason First Team member Tarris Reed Jr. (hamstring), star freshman Braylon Mullins (ankle) and classmate Jacob Furphy (ankle).
The Huskies, however, utilized their advantage in size to exploit the interior as a means to get to the free-throw line. UConn made 17 of 20 shots from the charity stripe while the Chargers were just 6 of 14.
New Haven’s Andre Pasha scored 17 points, Najimi George had 14 and Maison Adeleye added 13.
Albany transfer Kheni Briggs made a layup to bring New Haven within two points at 11-9 before UConn responded with an 11-2 run. Karaban and Alec Millender each drained a 3-pointer and Jayden Ross recorded a steal and a one-handed jam to highlight that sequence.
The Chargers made a pair of baskets to trim the Huskies’ lead to 22-15; however, Ball converted a three-point play and connected from beyond the arc to highlight UConn’s 12-4 run.
Four quick baskets — including two jumpers by Stewart — extended the Huskies’ advantage to 17 points at 45-28 early in the second half.
New Haven scored seven quick points to cut into the deficit but Ball responded with six straight free throws and Dwayne Koroma converted a three-point play to give UConn a 54-35 lead with 13:40 remaining in the second half.
Karaban sank two free throws, a layup and a 3-pointer during a personal 7-0 run to effectively seal the win.
–Field Level Media
