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Notes & Quotes: UConn Over ECU, 72-65

HARTFORD, Conn. – The UConn Huskies found the perfect remedy for what ails them – the East Carolina Pirates.

Down to a six-man scholarship squad, the Huskies got a little bit from everyone on their way to a 72-65 win Sunday night over the struggling Pirates in American Athletic Conference action at the XL Center.

“We had six guys, but those six guys played significant minutes,” UConn coach Kevin Ollie said. “They did a beautiful job staying connected, playing with pride. Putting the jersey on and respecting the jersey.”

Jalen Adams scored a team-high 19 points as UConn (8-11, 3-4 AAC) snapped a two-game losing skid. Rodney Purvis added 16 points, while Amida Brimah and Kentan Facey each had 13. Facey also recorded his third double-double in four games with 10 rebounds.

“I thought we came out aggressive with the guys we had,” Facey said.

Kentrell Barkley scored 18 points for ECU (9-11, 1-6), which has lost seven straight and was without coach Jeff Lebo (hip surgery) and leading scorer B.J. Tyson.

“I think this UConn team showed a lot of experience and talent,” ECU acting head coach Michael Perry said.


WHAT WENT RIGHT

Doing More with Less: The Huskies didn’t have time to worry about who was available, they just went out and played. After swapping early leads with ECU, UConn stepped on the glass with a 21-0 run and were able to be frontrunners the rest of the way. Two keys to the first-half success – good shot selection (55.6 percent) and hitting the glass (22-12 edge).

Ollie: “I thought we did a good job rebounding. We didn’t settle for 3s, we got to the free-throw line and was successful at switching up on defense.”

Purvis: “We shared the ball, we fed our bigs and they were scoring down low. We got rebounds, we got stops and we were able to get out in transition.”


Mr. Double-Double: Facey’s senior season continues to be a huge one for the Huskies, who have lacked a steady inside man with Brimah still plagued by fouls and the younger players still enduring growing pains. Facey almost had a double-double in the first half with nine points and eight rebounds. Vance Jackson added six boards in the half.

Purvis: “I think I looked up at the stats and saw Kentan had nine rebounds (eight) in the first half, so he was huge of course. … We have been out rebounding teams lately in our games, so that’s something we want to continue to do.”

Ollie: “I can’t say enough about Kentan and his effort.”

Senior Moments: In losses to Georgetown and SMU, Brimah and Purvis has particularly rough outings. Not this time around. Brimah picked up two first-half fouls, but finished with only three in 30 minutes with three of UConn’s nine blocks. Purvis was a combined 4-for-16 in the two losses, but shot 6-for-12 vs. ECU and scored 10 points in the second half.

Purvis: “I just want to bring energy. I can’t control if the ball goes in or out of the hoop. I just try to bring energy and I feel like I can rely on my defense. Just try to get in the passing lane and get some easy layups and I feel like it opened up the hoop a little bit.”

Bench Power: The Huskies had a bench of one, but freshman Christian Vital was quite productive in 23 minutes with eight points, seven rebounds, four assists and one block.

Ollie: “He was real good. He had a couple turnovers (three), but that’s all right. He played within himself …and Christian had a good game.”

WHAT NEEDS WORK

Closing Time: The Huskies still have some growing pains with playing ahead, but they did a much better job closing out ECU than they did at Georgetown. Instead of blowing a double-digit lead, the Huskies were able to counter the Pirates’ runs in the second half. However, they were a little sloppy in giving up last-season 3-point shots and boxing out. ECO made seven of its nine 3-pointers in the second half and scored 20 points on 16 offensive boards for the game.

Ollie: “A team is going to make a run, especially when you only six guys. Some guys said they couldn’t feel their legs, but they really played through it.”

More Ollie: “We went on a 16-0 run and didn’t allow a 16-0 run. We have to focus on rebounding, but overall I’m very proud of the guys.”

MISC.

Ollie said the team deserved day off Monday after the win. … Steven Enoch (foot) and Juwan Durham (foot) both missed the game and are considered day-to-day. Durham reportedly injured the foot in the loss to SMU. … The crowd of 5,676 at the XL Center was UConn’s smallest of the season. … Once again the Huskies went with a starting lineup of Brimah, Facey, Purvis, Jackson and Adams. … UConn plays another AAC bottom feeder on Wednesday when it takes on South Florida in Tampa, Fla.

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