UConn completed the season-series sweep of No. 20 Marquette with a hard-fought 72-66 victory on Wednesday evening. This win not only solidifies the Huskies’ dominance over the Golden Eagles this season but also positions both teams in a tie for third place in the competitive Big East conference.
The Huskies showcased their offensive prowess, launching a decisive 10-point run that featured electrifying dunks from Jaylin Stewart, Tarris Reed Jr., and Samson Johnson. This surge propelled UConn to a 61-54 lead with just under eight minutes left in the game. However, the Golden Eagles responded fiercely, executing a 12-6 run over the next seven minutes, narrowing the gap to a mere 67-66. Senior Kam Jones played a pivotal role during this stretch, contributing seven points, including two crucial layups that brought Marquette within striking distance. Yet, with only 23.7 seconds remaining, Reed found Alex Karaban on the right wing, who calmly sank a 3-pointer to seal the victory for UConn.
Karaban’s performance was a standout, as he scored 21 points, including that game-defining three-pointer, demonstrating his ability to rise to the occasion against ranked opponents.
Liam McNeeley contributed 11 points, while Johnson not only scored 10 points but also grabbed 11 rebounds, showcasing his all-around game for the Huskies (21-9, 13-6 Big East). Additionally, Solo Ball and Hassan Diarra each added 10 points, helping UConn achieve their fifth consecutive victory over Marquette, a testament to their recent dominance.
For the Golden Eagles (22-8, 13-6), Jones led the way with 21 points, and David Joplin topped the team with 23 points, highlighting their offensive capabilities despite the loss.
The game faced a 22-minute delay at the start due to facility issues, as reported by UConn, adding an unusual twist to the evening.
With this victory, UConn now holds the tiebreaker over Marquette in the Big East standings. Each team has one game left in the regular season, with UConn set to host Seton Hall on Saturday and Marquette gearing up to face No. 6 St. John on the same day.
