Just like in last season’s opener against Quinnipiac, UConn started slow out of the gates and had to use a late run again, this time to beat Morgan State 69-65 in the first round of the 2K Sports College Hoops Classic.
Jerome Dyson led the way for the Huskies with 20 points in just 27 minutes. He only played 10 minutes in the first half due to foul trouble. Curtis Kelly chipped in 13 points and had 9 rebounds. Jeff Adrien added his first double-double of the season as he scored 12 points and pulled down 10 boards. Reggie Holmes scored 18 point in 16 minutes off the bench to lead the Golden Bears. Jamar Smith added 16 points.
UConn came out cold in the first half as they made only 3 of their first 14 shots to go down 5 points. The Huskies went on an 18-4 run to close out the half to take a 37-28 into the locker rooms at Gampel Pavilion. UConn and Morgan State combined for 20 fouls and 18 turnovers in the first half.
Morgan State was held scoreless for the first 4 or so minutes in the first half as the Huskies opened up a 16 point lead. The Golden Bears then went on a 14-2 run of their own to cut the lead to 5. They would eventually tie the game up on back-to-back three pointers by Smith. Dyson and Doug Wiggins scored consecutive threes and they would never look back.
The Huskies now advance to the 2nd round of the 2K Sports College Hoops Classic where they will face Buffalo, 89-82 winners over Div II Ohio Valley. The game will tip-off at 9 PM and will be on ESPNU.
Notes and Observations:
The starters were Jerome Dyson, A.J. Price, Hasheem Thabeet, Stanley Robinson and Jeff Adrien.
The double-double by Adrien was the 17th in his Huskies’ career.
Curtis Kelly played a career-high 23 minutes and pulled down a career-best 9 rebounds.
Price had a career-high 9 assists while only scoring 5 points.
UConn held Morgan State to 35.2% shooting from the field while shooting only 42% themselves.
UConn was 24 of 33 (72.7%) from the free-throw line.
The game was not sold-out as there was 9,711 in attendance.
Jim Calhoun is now 18-4 in season openers while the coach at UConn.
