Rapid Recap: Huskies hold on at Xavier, 80-75

The UConn Huskies visited Xavier at the Cintas Center and left with a well-earned win as five players scored in double digits, led by Cam Spencer’s 19 points.

Alex Karaban got off to a fast start and was the team’s leading scorer at the half, getting all 14 of his points in the first 20 minutes. He sat out a chunk of the second half after taking an elbow to the forehead that drew blood.

In the second half, Hassan Diarra, Tristen Newton, and Stephon Castle sprung into action, scoring all or the majority of their points in the final 20. The Huskies got a few good minutes from Jaylin Stewart in each half as well.

UConn was tied or leading throughout the first half, and only briefly gave up the lead early in the second half. With the hosts on top 52-51, the Huskies mounted a 10-0 run to take the lead for good.

Sean Miller’s squad fought admirably to make it a game at the end, and some late UConn mishaps allowed it to get a little closer than Dan Hurley probably wanted, but the Huskies held on for the win thanks to a pair of Newton free throws to seal the game.

UConn is now 14-2, 4-1 in the Big East, with Georgetown up next, at the XL Center at noon on Sunday in a game that will be televised on FOX.

Box Score

UConn

Xavier

Split Stats

UConn did not do a great job of getting to the free-throw line and also hit only half of its freebies. The Huskies were outrebounded but did score more in the paint and on the fast break.

Advanced Stats

Rank in season’s games in parentheses

OReb%: 41% (14th-best performance in 16 games)

DReb%: 47.6% (15th)

Free Throw Rate: 24.6% (12th)

TO Rate: 17.3% (11th)

Assists/Made baskets: 87% (1st)

eFG%: 64% (5th)

Win Probability

Post-Game Press Conference