#7 Seed Connecticut Huskies 89 #10 Seed Saint Joseph’s Hawks 81 (OT)
The University of Connecticut Huskies made 15 straight free throws in the overtime period to advance in the NCAA Tournament Eastern Regional. The Saint Joseph’s Hawks finish the season with a 24 – 10 record. Langston Galloway played his final game in a Hawks uniform and led the team with a game-high 25 points making 8 of 13 field goal attempts, 4 for 7 from three-point land. Shabazz Napier scored 24 for the Huskies and was a perfect 8 for 8 from the free throw line.
The Hawks took the lead on a jumper by guard Chris Wilson with 1:40 to play in regulation. He would add two more foul shots with 49.2 on the clock putting Saint Joe’s ahead 70 – 67. On the ensuing trip down the floor UConn got a three-point play from forward Amida Brimah as he converted an offensive rebound, then tied the game at 70 with 39 seconds to go. A runner by Galloway did not hit the rim. The shot clock violation gave the Huskies one more shot which missed at the horn sending the game into overtime.
In the extra period Connecticut got the first basket with 3:47 showing on the clock as DeAndre Daniels made a layup and drew a foul from the Hawks Halil Kanacevic who fouled out on the play. Daniels made the free throw to give Huskies a 73 – 70 lead. Galloway made a three-pointer to tie the game. Brimah untied the game with two from the line to give UConn a lead they would retain. In the overtime Connecticut made 16 of 17 free throw attempts.
All five Saint Joseph’s starters scored in double-figures. DeAndre Bembry scored 16 points. Ronald Roberts concluded his collegiate career with a double-double scoring 15 points and taking down 10 rebounds. Wilson scored 13 points and had 5 rebounds. Kanacevic in his final college game scored 12 points and had 7 rebounds and 5 assists. The Hawks committed 14 turnovers which gave the Huskies a 21 – 9 edge in points off turnovers.
Connecticut got 18 points from Daniels and 17 from Ryan Boatright. Brimah scored 9 points.
The season ends for Saint Joseph’s. The Hawks may have been one rebound short of advancing.
Be the first to comment