In a thrilling Big East showdown, the No. 6 ranked UConn Huskies men's basketball team emerged victorious against Georgetown, securing a hard-fought 79-75 win. The Huskies showcased their resilience, never relinquishing their lead despite a late surge from the Hoyas. This significant victory was fueled by an exceptional performance from Silas Demary Jr., who nearly achieved a triple-double, and Solo Ball, who delivered his second consecutive 20-point game. Additionally, Alex Karaban marked a personal milestone, becoming the all-time winningest player in UConn men's basketball history.
The Huskies, with a season record of 22-4 overall and 14-1 in Big East play, demonstrated their composure against a determined Georgetown squad. Early in the second half, UConn established a commanding 14-point lead, but the Hoyas relentlessly chipped away, making the final moments intense. Georgetown, under the guidance of coach Ed Cooley, displayed commendable offensive efficiency, shooting 43.6% from the field and an impressive 42.9% from beyond the arc. Their disciplined play was also evident in their low turnover count, giving up the ball only 11 times.
The game commenced with a strong offensive display from UConn, as Karaban, Braylon Mullins, and Ball all sank three-pointers. Solo Ball, continuing his stellar form, led the Huskies in scoring with 20 points, following his 24-point effort against Butler. A significant portion of his points, 16 to be exact, came in the first half, including four of his five total three-pointers. Ball also reached a remarkable career milestone, surpassing the 1,000-point mark.
Georgetown's KJ Lewis proved to be a formidable opponent, matching Ball's intensity with a game-high 25 points, 13 of which were scored in the first half. As the first half drew to a close, UConn launched an 11-5 run, extending their lead to 41-33 heading into halftime. The intermission also featured a special ceremony honoring Hasheem Thabeet, who was inducted into the Huskies of Honor, further adding to the electric atmosphere of the evening.
In the crucial final minutes, Karaban and Demary Jr. stepped up for UConn. Karaban contributed 13 of his 18 points in the second half, while Demary added nine of his 15. The game's pivotal moments came with seconds left on the clock when Karaban calmly sank two free throws, sealing the victory for the Huskies. Despite a near-turnover by Karaban and a challenging inbound play, UConn held on, showcasing their mental toughness.
This contest was a testament to the competitive nature of the Big East Conference, filled with individual achievements and team triumphs. Demary finished just one assist shy of a triple-double, recording 15 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists. Mullins and Eric Reibe each contributed 10 points, resulting in five Huskies scoring in double figures. With only five regular-season games remaining, the race for the No. 1 seed in the conference intensifies, and UConn's victory keeps them ahead of St. John's, who also won their game against Providence. The Huskies are set to face Creighton at Gampel Pavilion on Wednesday, with tip-off scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on TNT.