Written by Erik Slaby
Hartford, CT - Here at the XL Center, in the third game of the 2017 American Athletic Conference Men’s Basketball Championship, the University of Connecticut Huskies defeated the University of South Florida Bulls, 77-66. The game was much closer than the final score indicated though as USF was able to overcome sloppy play to play a tough, close game.
At the end of the first half, Connecticut led USF by a score of 42-29. Early on, it looked like it may be a close game but as the game went on, Connecticut gradually pulled ahead. Probably the biggest difference were the turnovers. USF had 12 turnovers compared eight for Connecticut. In addition to that, USF only scored eight points off of the turnovers while Connecticut scored 14 points.
Connecticut was led by guard Rodney Purvis, who led all scorers with 13 points. He also tied forward Vance Jackson for the team lead in rebounds with four. USF was led by guard Geno Thorpe, who had 11 points in the half. In addition to the points off of turnovers, foul trouble by USF was also a major reason for Connecticut’s lead. They made 17 of 18 free-throw attempts, while in comparison, USF only made six of nine attempts.
In the second half, USF was able to come back and come within two or three points of Connecticut several times. Even though they were able to make it close, their sloppy play continued and missed opportunities continued to hamper them. Connecticut was able to weather the storm from USF and close out a victory.
Purvis led the way for Connecticut as he constantly hit numerous clutch shots as USF was trying to make a comeback. He finished with 30, which led all scorers. Center Amida Brimah added 13 points and guard Christian Vital contributed 10 points to the final score. Brimah also led the team in rebounds with seven.
USF was led by Thorpe, who finished with 23 points but fouled out with two minutes left to play. Fellow guard Michael Bibby added 13 points and forward Tulio Da Silva finished with 10 points. USF had numerous opportunities to take the lead, or snatch the momentum away from a very pro-Connecticut crowd but they were unable to get out of their own way at times whether it be making shots, poor passing, or foul troubles. Hopefully, USF is able to learn from this performance.
Connecticut will face off against the University of Houston Cougars, Friday at 9PM EST here at the XL Center. The game will be televised on ESPNU.
At the end of the first half, Connecticut led USF by a score of 42-29. Early on, it looked like it may be a close game but as the game went on, Connecticut gradually pulled ahead. Probably the biggest difference were the turnovers. USF had 12 turnovers compared eight for Connecticut. In addition to that, USF only scored eight points off of the turnovers while Connecticut scored 14 points.
Connecticut was led by guard Rodney Purvis, who led all scorers with 13 points. He also tied forward Vance Jackson for the team lead in rebounds with four. USF was led by guard Geno Thorpe, who had 11 points in the half. In addition to the points off of turnovers, foul trouble by USF was also a major reason for Connecticut’s lead. They made 17 of 18 free-throw attempts, while in comparison, USF only made six of nine attempts.
In the second half, USF was able to come back and come within two or three points of Connecticut several times. Even though they were able to make it close, their sloppy play continued and missed opportunities continued to hamper them. Connecticut was able to weather the storm from USF and close out a victory.
Purvis led the way for Connecticut as he constantly hit numerous clutch shots as USF was trying to make a comeback. He finished with 30, which led all scorers. Center Amida Brimah added 13 points and guard Christian Vital contributed 10 points to the final score. Brimah also led the team in rebounds with seven.
USF was led by Thorpe, who finished with 23 points but fouled out with two minutes left to play. Fellow guard Michael Bibby added 13 points and forward Tulio Da Silva finished with 10 points. USF had numerous opportunities to take the lead, or snatch the momentum away from a very pro-Connecticut crowd but they were unable to get out of their own way at times whether it be making shots, poor passing, or foul troubles. Hopefully, USF is able to learn from this performance.
Connecticut will face off against the University of Houston Cougars, Friday at 9PM EST here at the XL Center. The game will be televised on ESPNU.