December 22 - Hartford, CT (Sports Network) - Jerome Dyson had 27 points and seven rebounds, as 11th-ranked Connecticut experienced another sloppy first half only to pull away late in a 71-54 defeat of the Maine Black Bears at the XL Center.
No. 11 UConn Needs Big Second Half To Top Maine
Stanley Robinson posted 14 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks for UConn (8-2), which has won four of its last five games. Alex Oriakhi pulled down a game-high 14 rebounds, blocked four shots and added six points to the win.
Terrance Mitchell had 13 points and Gerald McLemore 10 for Maine (5-5), which had won two straight. The Black Bears were ultimately doomed by poor shooting, ending up 18-of-63 (28.6 percent) from the field.
The Huskies were coming off a shaky home win over UCF on Sunday in which they trailed 25-20 at the half before pulling out a 60-51 triumph.
It was nearly deja vu for the perennial Big East power, as the teams were deadlocked at 26 heading into the second half on Tuesday.
The Black Bears maintained an early three-point lead in the second half until the Huskies ripped off a 13-5 run, buoyed in large part by the three-point shot.
Dyson dropped three shots from long distance and Robinson stroked a fourth to give UConn some breathing room at 41-35 four minutes in.
McLemore hit a three moments later to bring Maine back within 43-40, but the Huskies created some solid distance with an ensuing 12-0 burst.
Robinson knocked down a three-ball and followed with a dunk to spark the surge, then buried another triple after Maine ended the stretch with a bucket -- giving the hosts a handy 58-42 advantage with 8:44 to play.
Maine went nearly six minutes without a field goal down the stretch and UConn was able to cruise to victory.
The Huskies own a commanding 81-16 series lead over the Black Bears...Gavin Edwards provided seven points and five blocks while Walker dished a game-best nine assists for Connecticut, which finished shooting 42.1 percent from the floor and 8-of-22 from three-point range...Sean McNally notched nine points and six rebounds for Maine.
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