UConn snaps 4-game losing streak with win over Temple

STORRS, CONN. >> Christian Vital scored 15 points as UConn snapped a fourgame losing streak with a 78-63 win over Temple in the American Athletic Conference.

James Bouknight and Brendan Adams each added 12 points, while Josh Carlton, Isaiah Whaley and Akok Akok had 10 apiece for the Huskies (11-9, 2-5). UConn had been beaten by six points or fewer in every game during its recent skid.

UConn never trailed in this one. The Huskies held the Owls scoreless for a 5 ½ minute stretch in the first half, opened up an 18-point lead and went into halftime up 36-21.

Two free throws from Carlton gave UConn its first 20-point lead at 43-23 early in the second half. A steal and tomahawk dunk by Bouknight made it 53-31 and the Huskies extended that to 24 points.

Nate Pierre-Louis scored 20 points and Quinton Rose had 15 for Temple (1010, 2-6), which has lost four in a row and seven of its last eight.

“This has been a struggle for us all year,” said coach Aaron McKie. “You would hope that at some point we could find a way or find a game where we can make some shots. And it just hasn’t happened for us. “

UConn was led by its defense. The Huskies blocked seven shots and forced 16 turnovers that led to 20 points.

Carlton, who was held scoreless in the Huskies last two games, opened the scoring by grabbing an offensive rebound and making a strong move to the basket and had the Huskies first two baskets.

A driving layup by Vital completed an 8-0 run that gave the Huskies a 12-4 lead.

Vital extended the advantage to 10 points at 18-8 when he was fouled shooting a 3-pointer from the left wing and completed the four-point play.

Temple came into the game averaging just 67.9 points and shooting 40% from the floor. They shot 39.7% in this one.

UConn played the game shorthanded. Forward Sidney Wilson (4.5 points per game) suffered a knee bruise in the Huskies’ loss to Tulsa on Sunday. Starting point guard Alterique Gilbert (9.4 points per game), who was benched for most of the second half after some poor play against Tulsa, sat out Wednesday “for personal reasons.” Freshman Jalen

Gaffney started in his place, scoring nine points and dishing out five assists.

Temple heads home to face East Carolina on Saturday MASSACHUSETTS 91, SAINT JOSEPH’S 76 >> Dibaji Walker had a career-high 22 points as UMass (9-12, 3-5 Atlantic 10) beat Saint Joseph’s (4-17, 0-8).

Samba Diallo had 19 points for UMass. Carl Pierre added 14 points and seven assists. Tre Mitchell had 12 points and five assists.

The 91 points were a season best for UMass, which also registered a seasonhigh 26 assists.

Archbishop Carroll AllDelco Ryan Daly had 22 points, seven rebounds and six assists for the Hawks. Rahmir Moore added 14 points. Cameron Brown had 12 points.

JESSICA HILL — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Connecticut’s Akok Akok, left, and Connecticut’s Josh Carlton, right, defend a shot attempt by Temple’s Nate Pierre-Louis, center, in the first half on Wednesday in Storrs, Conn.