UConn Men's Basketball

UConn falls at Xavier, 76-72

By Aman Kidwai

January 25, 2025

338

The UConn Huskies lost a close one at Xavier, 76-72. They had a chance to tie or take the lead with the ball in the final minute but missed despite having two chances.

Hassan Diarra scored the Huskies’ first five points as it was an early struggle for the visitors offensively.

Diarra, Solo Ball, and Tarris Reed Jr. kept them afloat through the middle of the first half but Xavier started out inspired and committed to the low-post game as the Musketeers built up a 10-point lead with 7:25 left.

Samson Johnson, Alex Karaban, and Aidan Mahaney got active down the stretch in the first half. They found Johnson for some easy buckets down low and Mahaney hit two late threes including one with five seconds left to help the Huskies take a 41-40 lead into the break.

UConn kept it close in the early going of the second half but Xavier pulled ahead late, going up 10 a second time. Ball, Mahaney, and Johnson helped the Huskies storm back but it was still looking bleak late. They cut the lead down to four but it was back up to seven with 2:10 left after a Zach Freemantle and-one.

UConn kept fighting back. Mahaney hit two free throws and then Ball drew a foul on a three-pointer, hitting all three free throws to make it 74-72 with 1:29 left. Xavier missed two shots on its ensuing possession, with Mahaney pulling down the rebound to get the Huskies an opportunity with the ball down two and 42 seconds left.

Ball attempted a three that missed, but Diarra grabbed the rebound to give them another chance with 21 seconds left. They couldn’t get a shot off at the end and a shot-clock violation led to Xavier free throws to ice the game.

The Huskies are now 6-3 in Big East play and have lost three of their last five as they fall to 14-6 on the season. Next up, they host DePaul at the XL Center for the second meeting of the year between the Huskies and Blue Demons. UConn won 81-68 in Chicago on January 1st in the first meeting. The contest will tip off on Wednesday night at 8 p.m. on Peacock.