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Notes & Quotes: UConn holds on against Hartford

James Bouknight struck early, but the UConn Huskies need a little help from everyone in a 69-57 win over the University of Hartford Friday night in a non-league game at Gampel Pavilion.

Bouknight scored 16 of his team-high 18 points in the first half, but Jalen Gaffney and Isaiah Whaley helped steer the foul-plagued Huskies (2-0) to a victory. Gaffney scored a career-high 15 points, while Isaiah Whaley finished with 10 points, 10 rebounds, five blocks and a career-high four assists.

"We just have to stay locked in for a full 40 and we’ll beat a lot of teams,” Gaffney said. Tyrese Martin added six points and 10 rebounds in his UConn debut and fellow transfer newcomer R.J. Cole also finished with 10 points, though his night was hampered by foul trouble.

Bouknight’s strong start helped UConn take a 38-26 lead at the break. Hartford made just 1 of its first 12 field goal attempts and shot 29.6 percent (8 of 27) in the half. After trailing by double digits most of the first half, the Hawks (0-1) managed to cut the deficit to 40-37 with 13:56 to play. But Whaley, Martin and Gaffney helped the Huskies hold on.

Moses Flowers scored 24 points for Hartford and Hunter Marks added 14.


WHAT WENT WELL

Whaley Closes: A year ago at this time, Isaiah Whaley was an afterthought in the Huskies’ lineup. Now - he’s a guy they need on the floor in key situations. The Huskies appeared to be in a turkey coma to start the second half and allowed the Hawks to whittle the lead down to 40-35. While Whaley’s block of Marks might not have led to immediate points, it seemed to spark the Huskies. Whaley had four blocks in the half to go with eight points and five rebounds in 16 minutes.

UConn head coach Dan Hurley: “We need more out of those guys. … Isaiah has the capability to do that. … He didn’t have a really good first half, but then you saw the version of Isaiah late that brings the value.”

Isaiah Whaley: “Defensive-wise down the stretch I felt I had a good impact but for us to be a good team I have to have that defensive energy throughout the whole game and not just little stretches.”


Another Talented Sophomore Guard: Jalen Gaffney was also key in the second half with Cole's foul trouble and Bouknight in the deep freeze. The sophomore point guard scored 10 much-needed points down the stretch, sparked by a pair of steals, that gave the Huskies some backcourt stability.


Better Defense: Hurley called out his team's defensive performance after opening night against Central Connecticut State, but this time the Huskies were better. Hartford shot just 29.6 percent in the first half and 32 percent for the game. However, the fouls and lazy defense were still an issue.

Whaley: “That was our main focus to be way better on defense because the first game we played terribly on defense. … That was our focus today and the first half we established ourselves defensively.”

Get 30% OFF on vintage UConn gear thanks to Storrs Central sponsors Homefield Apparel.
Get 30% OFF on vintage UConn gear thanks to Storrs Central sponsors Homefield Apparel. (Homefield Apparel)
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Instant Impact: Tyrese Martin was suspended for the first game, but the Huskies loved his gritty work in this win. He brings an experienced, tough dynamic to a team that is going to need it in the Big East battles on the way this season.

Hurley: “Tyrese isn’t a very vocal guy but he plays with force. … All he talked about in the pregame was 10 rebounds. His role is going to expand - we need him out there more than (25 minutes).”


WHAT NEEDS WORK

Foul Problems: UConn is lucky it has a deep bench because foul trouble was an issue throughout, and Hartford took advantage going 21-for-27 from the line. Tyler Polley was almost a non-factor because of it, Andre Jackson as well, while Cole's floor time was limited due to foul problems throughout. Bouknight also fouled out.

Hurley: “Just immaturity and really dumb fouls. … We were sloppy and immature.”

Jalen Gaffney: “I think it was us not being locked in on defense. … We can fix that with drilling and keeping that defensive mindset for a full forty.”


Offensive Lapses: The Huskies led by 19 points in the first half, but then their offense stalled. After taking a 30-16 lead on a Brendan Adams jumper with 2:18 to play in the first half, UConn missed its next 11 field goals until Cole’s 3-pointer with 13:39 to go.

Hurley: “Today, look listen, I thought we looked really, really good early. … We just showed a lot of immaturity. We didn’t know how to act, we didn’t know how to sustain it.”

Whaley: “The immaturity for us came from a lack of focus. …. We let off the gas.”


A Tale of Two Bouknights: After a great first half from James Bouknight, UConn star guard went quiet in the second half. If the Huskies want to compete in the Big East, they need a full night from their leader.

Hurley: “You want to be a guy who's carrying a team to the top of the Big East, you have to play a full forty. … There's some monsters waiting for us in the Big East and if he's playing like this, then it's not going to go the way we want this to go."

MISC. NOTES

UConn went with the same starting lineup of Bouknight, Cole, Gaffney, Polley and Whaley. …The Hawks played their first game of the season after having their Wednesday game with Merrimack cancelled due to a COVID-related issue with the opponent. … This was the first meeting between these in-state schools in 12 years. … The Huskies open the Big East part of their season on Dec. 11 with St. John’s at Gampel Pavilion. …. UConn is supposed to play next week at Mohegan Sun against Vanderbilt (Tuesday) and North Carolina State (Dec.5), but the school has yet to announce either game. Hurley said the school will likely announce something Saturday.



UP NEXT

UConn vs. Vanderbilt, 5 p.m. Tuesday at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT (ESPN2)

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