No. 19 UConn held off Butler with a thrilling 80-78 victory in overtime, avoiding a second consecutive home loss on Tuesday night. Solo Ball emerged as a standout player, scoring a career-high 23 points, showcasing his growth and determination on the court.
Alex Karaban contributed significantly to the Huskies’ effort, adding 19 points along with seven rebounds, six assists, and three blocks. UConn (14-5, 6-2 Big East) was looking to bounce back after a tough home defeat against Creighton just days prior. The two-time defending national champions have faced challenges recently, showing a 2-2 record since an impressive eight-game winning streak.
Samson Johnson and Tarris Reed Jr. each chipped in 14 points, with Reed delivering a crucial basket that gave UConn an 80-76 advantage with only 19.9 seconds remaining in overtime, following a tense moment where Karaban lost the ball on a drive.
On the Butler side, Jahmyl Telfort led the scoring with 25 points but fell short in the final seconds, missing two three-point attempts that could have secured the Bulldogs’ first win over UConn. Butler’s record now stands at 8-11 overall and 1-7 in conference play.
Finley Bizback added 17 points while Andre Screen contributed 13 points and nine rebounds, highlighting Butler’s efforts despite the loss. UConn initially took control of the game, leading by as many as 15 points in the first half and entering halftime with a 39-31 lead. However, Butler mounted a comeback, erasing a nine-point deficit in the last 6:50 of regulation, ultimately tying the game at 68 with a crucial jumper from Karaban.
Takeaways
Butler remains winless against UConn, falling to 0-11 in their series history, with their first encounter dating back to the 2011 NCAA championship game. For UConn, Karaban made his 94th career start despite battling an ankle injury sustained in the previous game. Meanwhile, UConn freshman Liam McNeeley continued to be sidelined, missing his fifth consecutive game due to an ankle injury.
Key moment
In a pivotal moment during overtime, Butler held an early lead before Karaban tied the game with a three-point play, setting the stage for Ball’s critical three-pointer that shifted the momentum.
Key stat
UConn’s performance in overtime was notable, going 4-for-6 from the field after struggling to find their rhythm during the latter part of regulation.
Up next
Looking ahead, Butler will host DePaul on Saturday, while UConn prepares for a challenging matchup against Xavier.
