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STORRS — UConn men’s basketball hosted the University of New Haven, a first-year Division 1 program, in their 2025-26 opener Monday night, winning 79-55 in Gampel Pavilion.
Alex Karaban led the way with 19 points and 10 rebounds for the third double-double of his career, while Solo Ball added 18 as the two returning stars paced the Huskies like they did through the preseason. Andre Pasha led the Chargers with 17 points.
Jaylin Stewart got the first bucket of the season as the junior quickly pushed the Huskies ahead with a second early basket. Freshman center Eric Reibe, starting in place of Tarris Reed Jr., also got two early baskets, including a dunk to make the score 10-3. Braylon Mullins and Jacob Furphy were also sitting out with injuries.
Just a few minutes later, the Chargers pulled to within two after a slew of Husky turnovers, but a Karaban three, one free throw, and a Jayden Ross steal and dunk pushed the lead up to eight.
A Ball three-point play after he tipped in a rebound made it 25-15, and threes from Ball and Karaban helped the Huskies take a 37-24 lead into halftime.
Stewart had a strong start to the second half as well, as he hit a three to push the lead to 17. The Chargers fought back to cut the lead to 10 before Ball drew a foul on a three on consecutive possessions and hit all the free throws to push it to 16.
Demary Jr. hit a jumper to put UConn ahead 18 in the middle of the half. Another Karaban three – he finished 3-of-4 from deep – pushed the lead over 20, and they maintained that buffer through the end.
The Georgia transfer finished with 10 points and five rebounds as the fourth Husky in double digits. Stewart finished with 11 points and eight rebounds.
Next up, the Huskies are in Hartford to host UMass Lowell on Friday night. Tip-off will be at 7:30 p.m. on Peacock from PeoplesBank Arena.
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