Rosemont, IL (Sports Network) - Shabazz Napier pumped in 28 points and grabbed
seven rebounds to lift the Connecticut Huskies to an 81-69 decision over the
DePaul Blue Demons in a Big East Conference bout at Allstate Arena.
Ryan Boatright and Omar Calhoun scored 17 points each for UConn (19-7, 9-5 Big
East). Boatright also dealt out six assists to help the Huskies to their
fourth win in five games.
Cleveland Melvin registered a double-double of 20 points and 10 boards for
DePaul (11-16, 2-12) as it suffered its second loss in a row. Brandon Young
scored 13 points, Worrel Clahar tallied 10 and they combined to deal out 13
assists.
Although UConn shot an even 50 percent from the field and connected on 6-of-14
from 3-point range in the first half, the Blue Demons took a 37-34 lead into
halftime by hitting on 53.6 percent of their attempts from the floor.
DePaul cooled off to hit on 43.3 percent of its field goal tries in the second
half. The Huskies ran off to the 12-point victory as they drained 70.8 percent
of their shots from the floor and sank 8-of-10 at the charity stripe in the
final 20 minutes of action.
Despite the loss, the Blue Demons held a 38-26 edge in points in the paint.
UConn won the rebounding battle, 32-21. The Huskies' victory completed their
season series sweep of DePaul.
GAME NOTES:
The Sports Network