Rapid Recap: McNeeley Shines as Huskies Top Baylor
STORRS -- The UConn Huskies hosted No. 15 Baylor in their first high-major matchup after their disastrous run at the Maui Invitational at Gampel Pavilion, winning 76-72 to improve to 6-3.
Baylor looked like it was ready to run away with it early, jumping out to a 7-0 lead and going up 19-8 eight minutes into the first half. But UConn responded as Aidan Mahaney hit consecutive threes to cut the lead to 21-18 just after the 10-minute mark.
The Huskies managed to keep it close throughout the first half despite looking out of sorts frequently, especially defensively. Offensively, they were settling a lot on the outside, going just 5-of-17 from beyond the arc in the first 20 minutes. Despite trailing most of the way, the Huskies briefly pushed ahead with around three minutes left and went into the break down 37-36.
Solo Ball led them with nine at that point, followed by eight from Samson Johnson and seven from Liam McNeeley. Mahaney was active in this one, coming off the bench to hit those threes as he finished with nine points in 18 minutes off the bench.
The second half stayed even as the Huskies entered a bit of a rhythm offensively. The game was tied with 10 minutes left. Mahaney hit his third three to put UConn ahead by seven, its largest lead of the night, with seven minutes left.
McNeeley pushed the lead back up to seven with a three to put UConn up 64-57 with five minutes left in the game. He finished with 17 points with 10 in the second half on 5-of-13 shooting and was the offensive engine the Huskies especially needed with starter and leading scorer Alex Karaban sitting out his second straight game.
Despite Johnson fouling out late, the Huskies closed it out by drawing fouls and hitting their free throws to capture the 76-72 victory.
Next up, the Huskies have a break for final exams before they head to Austin to take on the University of Texas on Sunday. Tip-off for that game will be at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN. After that, they're in Manhattan to face the Gonzaga Bulldogs for an 8 p.m. tip at MSG that will be televised on FOX.
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