In a dramatic turn of events at Madison Square Garden, the University of Connecticut's men's basketball team, the Huskies, overcame a slow start against Xavier to secure a commanding victory. Xavier initially took the lead, opening with a 10-0 run, which UConn responded to with a 13-0 run of their own. Despite Xavier's early advantage and a close halftime score of 34-33 in favor of UConn, the Huskies dominated the second half. UConn's aggressive play post-intermission led to a series of scoring runs, including a notable 13-2 run, and at one point, the team made 11 consecutive shots. This offensive onslaught allowed UConn to extend their lead significantly, culminating in a 75-49 score with just over three minutes left in the game. The victory was highlighted by standout performances, including a putback dunk by Tristen Newton, and set up UConn for a semifinal match against either Seton Hall or St. John's.
MSG gets 103 seconds of Andrew Hurley. The exclamation point to a dominant #UConn afternoon. #BleedBlue
Make that 11 for its last 11, and a 17-2 run. The #UConn clinic is going down the stretch now, with the Huskies in firm command over Xavier heading to the final 3:31. Apostolos just checked into a 75-49 game. #BleedBlue
It got out of hand in a hurry here at Madison Square Garden. UConn has made 11 straight shots from the floor and is on a 13-0 run. Xavier has made two shots in the last 9+ minutes of game action.
Game respects Game 🤝 @dhurley15 x @quincyolivari x @UConnMBB x @XavierMBB https://t.co/oltj4SqexK
Huskies combo of size + attacking guards too much for Xavier, which plays hard but doesn't have enough. Getting 'ooped on constantly. #BigEastTournament https://t.co/sBEDoyT07L
#UConn has made each of its last NINE shots to effectively slam the door on this one. It’s 71-49 now, thanks to a 13-2 Husky run. Still another 4:24 left, but Hurley is emptying the bench. #BleedBlue
Steph Castle is good at basketball. https://t.co/JfQy9sCeE9
UConn has blown it open here. Huskies will move to the semis tomorrow night in front of a huge UConn crowd.
And the rout is on for @UConnMBB. Took a little while to get going but it's going and going now.
The scary thing about #UConn? The Huskies haven’t played anywhere close to their best, and Hurley will probably say this later, yet are still overpowering Xavier right now. This 13-point lead feels like it’s 30 at this rate. All Huskies with 7:42 to go, up 60-47. #BleedBlue
#UConn is on its customary level right now, up 54-42 with 9:53 to play. The Huskies have outscored Xavier, 20-9, since halftime. #BleedBlue
UConn has outscored Xavier 21-7 in the 2nd half and is pulling away Winner gets Seton Hall or St. John's in Friday's semis. https://t.co/31biFSvTiZ
TRISTEN NEWTON PUTBACK DUNK 😳 @UConnMBB (via @CBBonFOX) https://t.co/oxTuPqWJ0B
What CAN'T @D1Tristen do?! 😱 @UConnMBB https://t.co/U7ddHQ08q4
Feel for Xavier. This is a top-20 team with Freemantle and Hunter. Just not enough inside. UConn threatening to pull away, up 8 with 11:14 left.
#UConn has been the aggressor out of the gate since the intermission, uncorking a 9-2 run before a Xavier three brought the Musketeers within five. It’s a seven-point game now at the U16, with the Huskies holding a 45-38 advantage as 15:42 remains in regulation. #BleedBlue
UConn 34, Xavier 33 at halftime. Much more of a game than anticipated, given the bloodletting the last time the two played.
Xavier had #UConn flustered on its last possession, as Castle traveled right before he’d have committed a shot clock violation. The Huskies are crashing the offensive glass, but struggling to make shots through 13 minutes…they trail Xavier, 22-19. #BleedBlue #LetsGoX
Xavier has come back from the 13-0 #UConn barrage with five straight to retake the lead, but Castle will shoot two on the other side of the timeout with a chance to equalize. With 11:36 remaining in the opening stanza, the Huskies are down two, 15-13. #BleedBlue
Apparently Xavier's fatal flaw was ticking off @UConnMBB. From up 10-0 to down 13-10.
10-0 Xavier run to start 13-0 #UConn run since What is basketball, boys and girls? https://t.co/0UMmtZr7gR
Wide awake now. UConn 13, Xavier 10. https://t.co/90M4Qw4PKF
Xavier has opened up with a 10-4 lead through the first 4:23, with a pair of Olivari triples. If he gets hot, watch the hell out. As for #UConn, the Huskies have settled in after the slow start. Buckets from Spencer and Newton have gotten the champs into a groove. #BleedBlue
Well that was unexpected. @UConnMBB misses its first four shots and Xavier darts to a 10-0 lead before the Huskies get rolling.
Xavier out to a quick 10-2 lead on UConn here at MSG https://t.co/chxikEEuzk
UConn overslept. Huskies trailing Xavier 10-0.
Xavier will play UConn tomorrow in the Big East quarterfinals. Last time they met, on Jan. 28, UConn beat X by approximately 200 points.
Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden. Xavier taking on Butler for the right to play UConn in the quarterfinals tomorrow. https://t.co/tLHANKIyad
UConn women’s basketball about to tip off the Big East Championship against 6-seed Georgetown at Mohegan Sun! Huskies chasing a fourth straight conference title since rejoining the Big East in 2020-21. As always, live updates in the thread & full coverage @hartfordcourant! https://t.co/AQhKT22fNy