No. 11 UConn outlasts Xavier, 94-89, in overtime to open Big East play

On By Littum

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Alex Karaban had seven of his 20 points in overtime to lead No. 11 UConn to a 94-89 win over Xavier on Wednesday night in the Big East opener for both teams.

Solo ball led the Huskies (9-3) with 22 points and Tarris Reed Jr. had 20, including four in OT. Reed also grabbed 13 rebounds.

Liam McNeely hit two free throws with 12 seconds to play after Xavier’s Dante Maddox Jr. tied the game with his fifth three-pointer of the game. A late mistake by UConn allowed Maddox to tie the game again with a pair of foul shots with 9.4 seconds left.

Ryan Conwell had 23 points and Maddox finished with 22 for Xavier (8-4).

Both teams were missing key players. A lower body injury will sideline Zach FreemantleXavier’s all-time leading scorer and rebounder. UConn was without a starting center Samson Johnson (concussion protocol.)

Takeaways

Xavier: This was the second of three straight games against ranked teams for Xavier. The last time the Musketeers had three consecutive matchups against ranked teams was in the 2017 NCAA Tournament. Playing without Freemantle, who missed all of last season, only adds to the challenge for Xavier.

UConn: The Huskies hadn’t been outscored at the 3-point line in their first 10 games, but won their conference openers despite being outscored 39-24 on three-pointers.

Key moment

Xavier was within one point early in overtime before Reed hit back-to-back baskets to give the Huskies a two-possession lead.

Key state

UConn took advantage of Freemantle’s absence by outscoring Xavier 50-28 in points in the paint. Eight of UConn’s points in overtime came in the paint.

Next

The Musketeers host the no. 9 Marquette on Saturday. UConn plays at Butler on Saturday.