Connecticut 61, Washington 53: Shabazz Napier shook off a career-high-tying seven turnovers and finished with 13 points and eight rebounds, powering host Connecticut to their fourth victory in as many tries over Washington.
Omar Calhoun poured in a team-high 14 points while Ryan Boatright added 12 for Connecticut (10-2), which improved to 4-0 in the XL Center this season and 229-83 all-time at the venue.
Scott Suggs scored a game-high 15 points for Washington (8-5).
Washington took its last lead of the game at 24-23 on a 3-pointer by Suggs with 5:17 left before the break. Connecticut suffered through a field goal drought that lasted the final 9:42 of the first half, but hit 10 straight free throws to offset the cold stretch and take a 31-26 halftime advantage.
Boatright ended the dry spell with a layup on the first possession of the second half, sparking a 7-0 run that stretched the margin to 38-26. Suggs began to warm up as he scored 10 of his team’s next 18 points to move Washington to within 48-44, but Napier and Boatright each connected on jumpers to help Connecticut re-establish a 12-point lead with 2:23 remaining.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Connecticut first-year coach Kevin Ollie was handed a five-year extension earlier in the day to stay with his alma mater. … Washington set a season low in field goal percentage for the second straight game, connecting on 29.7 percent of its attempts to fall to 2-13 in the Eastern Time zone since 2003. … The team combined for 17 offensive rebounds (Washington 13), but scored only seven second-chance points.
Washington | Connecticut | |
Scott Suggs 15 | Scoring | Omar Calhoun 14 |
Scott Suggs 4 | Assists | Shabazz Napier 4 |
Desmond Simmons 10 | Rebounds | Enosch Wolf 9 |
Andrew Andrews 5 | Free Throws Made | Shabazz Napier 6 |
Desmond Simmons 3 | Steals | Shabazz Napier 3 |
Shawn Kemp Jr. 1 | Blocks | Enosch Wolf 2 |
Team | Points | FG% | 3PM-3PA | FTM-FTA | Assists | Rebounds | Blocks | Steals | Turnovers |
Washington | 53 | 29.7 | 4-17 | 11-16 | 10 | 34 | 3 | 8 | 13 |
Connecticut | 61 | 46.8 | 2-14 | 15-25 | 13 | 31 | 4 | 6 | 17 |