The Connecticut Huskies were given all they could handle in the semifinals of the Paradise Jam by the Quinnipiac Bobcats, but eventually moved on in double overtime with an 89-83 win.
No. 23 UConn vs. Quinnipiac final score: Huskies survive in double OT
UConn almost lost their first game against an in-state opponent since 1986, but held on in double overtime to advance to the finals of the Paradise Jam in the Virgin Islands over Quinnipiac.
David Butler II-US PRESSWIRE
The No. 23 Huskies likely overlooked their in-state opponent, who finished fifth in the NEC last season and already have a loss to American on the season: after all, the Huskies have won 66 consecutive games against other teams from Connecticut, dating back to 1986. But the Bobcats held tight from the tip: at halftime, the score was 26-26, thanks to eight points from Ike Azotam.
After a tightly contested second, Quinnipiac actually held a lead, but UConn scored four straight in the final minute of the period to force overtime. There, the Huskies opened up a four-point lead with 19 seconds to go. But Garvey Young drained a three, and after Shabazz Napier made a pair of free throws, Gary Johnson hit another triple to send the game to another overtime. In the second OT, the Huskies started off on a 7-2 run and didn't look back, closing out this time.
UConn shot poorly - 23-for-60 from the field - but Quinnipiac couldn't keep speedy guards Napier and Ryan Boatright off the line, as the pair combined to go 23-for-25 from the charity stripe. The Bobcats kept it close thanks to a big advantage on the boards, outrebounding UConn 39-29.
The Huskies will go on to play New Mexico in the final of the tournament in the Virgin Islands Monday, while Quinnipiac will play George Mason in a consolation game. UConn remains undefeated at 4-0.
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