Notes and Quotes: UConn Defeats UMass Lowell
HARTFORD, Conn. - Rodney Purvis scored 28 points to lead a balanced UConn attack over UMass-Lowell 88-79 Sunday in front of 9,848 fans at the XL Center. Here's a closer look at the victory, which improved the No. 25-ranked Huskies to 7-3:
(editor's note: Game coverage was delayed due to a computer mishap caused by Omar Calhoun landing on it during the first half of the game)
WHAT WENT RIGHT
1. ROCKING IN THE 60S: For the second straight game the Huskies shot at least 60 percent from the field - 64.0 (32-for-50) - on the way to a win. Again they also had five players in double figures scoring, led by Purvis and Sterling Gibbs with 15. Omar Calhoun (14), Daniel Hamilton (12) and Shonn Miller (10) also reach double figures
UCONN COACH KEVIN OLLIE'S TAKE: "I thought our guys didn't play with intensity of defense that we need, but offensively I thought we did a good job for the second game in a row shooting over 60 percent. We had five guys in double figures, but we have to do a better job on the offensive and defensive end if we want to win games in conference play."
2. HOT ROD: Purvis scored in double figures for the 10th straight game this season, hitting 10 of 14 shots from the field, including 3-for-4 on 3-pointers, to finish one point shy of his career high. After collecting three steals in his first eight games, Purvis had his second straight two-steal outing.
OLLIE'S TAKE: "We need that consistency out of Rodney. A lot of guys have been stepping up, but Rodney has been playing very, very well. ... But that's him putting the work in day in, day out trying to be the leader. Staying after practice with Ricky (Moore) and Karl (Hobbs), coming in early, so he's really putting the hard work in."
3. HARD-HITTER: Senior Omar Calhoun seems to have found his niche on this team with his second straight strong game off the bench. In wins over Ohio State and UMass-Lowell, Calhoun is a combined 8-for-8 from the field - 5-for-5 on 3s - to post consecutive 14-point games, while also hustling on the defensive end.
CALHOUN'S TAKE: (Coach Ollie) started having more confidence in me, started putting me out there more, so I have been able to make plays and stuff. He just told me to stay solid and make sure I am playing tough."
WHAT NEEDS WORK
1. WITHOUT YOU: The Huskies missed their "rim protector" in Amida Brimah, who missed his first game at UConn due to injury. UConn might not have stopped UMass-Lowell on the perimeter (12-for-30) even with their big man, but it would not have allowed 28 points in the paint. The 7-footer also would have helped pad the four blocks.
OLLIE'S TAKE: "I mean he's one of the best defensive players in America. It's definitely going to effect us (not having him). If he has games where he has to sit out, guys got to step up and play with a little more intensity. We can't give up 28 points in the paint. ... You never know when someone is going to get hurt and other guys have to step up."
2. STICKY FINGERS: The Huskies have gotten a bit sloppy with their ball handling in recent games, finishing with 15 assists and 16 turnovers against the River Hawks. UMass-Lowell scored 20 points off UConn's mistakes and even led 20-13 at 12:17 of the first half because of the Huskies inability to control the ball.
QUOTABLE
"We didn't play defense without him," Hamilton on what UConn learned playing without Brimah.
NOTES: Brimah had his streak of 44 straight starts - 84 straight games - come to an end due to a testicular contusion, which he suffered against Ohio State on Dec. 12. Ollie said Brimah is day-to-day. ... Hamilton is the Huskies active leader in consecutive starts with 45. ... UMass-Lowell (4-7) and UConn both play in Hockey East, but the River Hawks play the rest of their sports in America East. UMass-Lowell is not eligible for postseason play until next season (four-year reclassification rule) until 2016-17 in all sports except ice hockey and field hockey after moving up to Division I status three years ago. ... Jalen Adams made the first star of his career with Brimah out. ... Miller took the jump ball in place of Brimah and won.
UP NEXT
Wednesday, vs. Central Connecticut State, 12:30 p.m. at XL Center