Hassan Diarra scored a career-high 19 points and Solo Ball tossed in 16 to help No. 11 UConn overcome a 14-point second-half deficit and defeat Providence 87-84 Sunday in Storrs, Conn.
Aidan Mahaney added 15 points and Alex Karaban had 13 for the Huskies, who outscored the Friars 60-45 in the second half. UConn (12-3, 4-0 Big East) shot 56.3 percent from the field (27 of 48) and made 27 of its 32 free-throw attempts.
Diarra scored 17 points in the second half and was 10 of 11 from the free throw line as UConn extended its winning streak to eight games.
Providence (7-8, 1-3) received a game-high 24 points from Jayden Pierre and 18 from Wesley Cardet. Oswin Erhunmwunse added six points and a game-high nine rebounds for the Friars, who have lost their last four games. Providence outrebounded UConn 34-22.
UConn trailed 60-51 in the second half, but had a 64-60 lead after a Tarris Reed Jr. jumper capped a 13-0 run with 7:05 to play. The Huskies kept the lead the rest of the way.
The Friars were without leading scorer Bryce Hopkins, who missed his fourth straight game with a left knee injury. Hopkins is averaging 17.0 points and 7.7 rebounds per game, but has been limited to three contests this season.
UConn was also short-handed, as Liam McNeeley sat out with a high ankle sprain. UConn coach Dan Hurley said McNeeley, the team’s No. 2 scorer (13.6) and rebounder (5.8), isn’t expected back until late January.
Providence scored the final nine points in the first half and had a 39-27 halftime lead. The Friars shot 56.7 percent from the field (17 of 30) in the opening 20 minutes. UConn failed to score in the final 3:57 of the half.
UConn has won its last five meetings with Providence and seven consecutive at home.
–Field Level Media
