In a refreshing return to normalcy, UConn snapped their two-game losing streak on Wednesday night with a 65-52 victory over East Carolina in Gampel Pavilion.
The Huskies got off to another slow start, trailing by as many as ten and finishing the first half down seven to an ECU team that has only won two conference games this season. The Pirates abused UConn from the three-point line in the first half, shooting 8-13 from behind the arc, and 54.2 percent from the floor.
After intermission, it was all UConn.
“I knew at halftime we had to come out and jump on them,” said Ryan Boatright, who scored 14 of his game-high 23 points in the second half.
The Huskies pushed ECU off the three-point line (3-8) and played greatly improved defense without committing fouls — ECU had only two free throw attempts in the game.
“That second half was probably the best second half we’ve played,” said Kevin Ollie.
UConn employed a smaller lineup than usual for much of the game. Terrence Samuel earned the start and contributed nine points and five assists in 30 minutes of action. Daniel Hamilton moved to the power forward position against ECU’s zone defense, flashing to the foul line and facilitating ball movement on offense that has been sorely lacking this season.
Said Ollie, “Daniel really gave us a shot in the arm. Putting him at the four really spread the court.”
Hamilton finished with nine points, five assists and a game-high 11 rebounds. Equally impressive, he did not commit a turnover for the second consecutive game and the fourth time this season.
The stellar play by Samuel and Hamilton, and ten points from Rodney Purvis off the bench, took a little bit of pressure off Boatright, who got to play off the ball for stretches of the game, and spent most of his minutes launching three-pointers.
All seven of Boatright’s made field goals came from long-range on Wednesday — a career-best. “Guys are going under screens on me and giving me a little too much room,” said Boatright. “I’ve been in the gym, taking a lot of threes because I know those are the shots they’re going to give me.”
Boatright passed Scott Burrell for 17th place on UConn’s all-time scoring list with his final three of the evening.
In all, it was a quality team win for UConn, and a boost of confidence that they badly needed. The Huskies will be back on the road this weekend, this time at Tulane (Saturday, 6pm, CBS Sports ugh). “We’ve been on the road a lot, and they’re long flights,” said Boatright. Such is life in the AAC.
