Adams scores 31 points as UConn men rally past Monmouth in overtime
No. 3 Notre Dame visits Hartford to play No. 1 Huskies today in Jimmy V Classic
There is a temptation to turn the focus of today's clash between two women's basketball titans in the direction of the players who aren't playing or are still working their way back into shape.
However, when No. 3 Notre Dame plays top-ranked UConn at the XL Center (4 p.m., ESPN) in the Jimmy V Classic, there won't exactly be a lack of dynamic playmakers on the court — even as the Huskies look to get leading scorer Katie Lou Samuelson back into the flow and the Fighting Irish move forward with only eight healthy scholarship players.
Tickets have been selling at a fast and furious pace, so it's quite likely that the Huskies will be greeted by its first home sellout crowd of the season.
"Notre Dame is always a fun game and to have the crowd be ready, it's going to be great," UConn junior forward Napheesa Collier said.
Seeing how Notre Dame's dynamic perimeter trio of Arike Ogunbowale, Jackie Young and Marina Mabrey square off against UConn's Kia Nurse, Crystal Dangerfield and Gabby Williams will be worth the price of admission.
However, perhaps the most anticipated matchup could be the showdown in the low post between Collier and Notre Dame's Jessica Shepard. Shepard, who transferred in from Nebraska and was granted immediate eligibility, is averaging 13 points and a team-high 8.9 rebounds per game.
"She's definitely an inside presence," Collier said of Shepard. "She
secured the rebound. Vital went to the foul line twice in the final 4.9 seconds, sinking three to close out the win. Vital hit 11 of 13 free throws and UConn made 21 of 28 compared to Monmouth's 57.7 percent (15-for-26).
UConn improved to 4-0 in games decided by eight points or less.
"We have guys who are willing to finish games and not just give up because we're UConn," Vital said. "The teams before us used to blow out teams. We'll take a win. Obviously, we want it to be a lot easier. If that's the way it's going to be, that's the way it's going to be as long as we come out with a W."
Vital pointed to Anderson's defense as a major reason why UConn pulled out the win.
In the second half, Anderson made life uncomfortable for Seaborn, holding the Monmouth star to just seven points after intermission.
Trailing 42-36 at halftime, Anderson volunteered to guard Seaborn, who had already torched the Huskies for 20 of his 27 points.
Anderson said to his teammates in the locker room: "This is my job and I'm going to stop him this half."
The Huskies continue to run hot and cold during games. They had too many defensive breakdowns, allowing Monmouth to shoot 51.8 percent overall.
"We've got to get our defense better," Ollie said. "It can't be all these blow-bys and them just getting to the rim."
On two different occasions, the Huskies missed 10 straight shots. They lost a nine-point lead in the first half, trailed by six at the break, and then opened the second half with a 13-0 spurt to go back in front.
Then the Hawks (3-5) surged ahead again, holding the Huskies without a field goal for nearly eight minutes. Adams scored five of his team's last seven points in regulation, including a game-tying free throw (74-74) with 33 seconds left to force overtime.
Down 80-76 in overtime, the Huskies responded once again as Vital's 3-point play sparked a game-ending 8-1 run. Vital (6) and Adams (4) combined for all their team's points in the extra session.
The last time UConn won two straight overtime games came during the 2013 season when it beat Providence and South Florida.
"Those kids kept believing in each other," Monmouth coach King Rice said of UConn. "Two overtime wins, back-to-back. That means their kids are well coached... They continue to fight even in situations where it looked like we might have had a chance. Those kids kept making the right plays, and that's how you win down the stretch."
UConn played without guard Alterique Gilbert (shoulder) but reserve Eric Cobb returned from an ankle injury. g.keefe@theday.com