Huskies roll past UCF

HARTFORD — A good, oldfashioned blowout victory. Every team covets them; UConn really needed one on Wednesday night.

Thanks largely to Isaiah Whaley (again) and Christian Vital, the Huskies got one.

Two games after scoring a career-high 18 points at Temple, Whaley matched that total, to go with 11 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the season, to help UConn to an 81-65 win over UCF. Vital also netted 18 in what was the final game of his career at

XL Center, and freshman James Bouknight added 16

Of UConn’s prior 13 games, 11 were decided by seven points or less (four wins, seven excruciating losses).

In what may have been his final game at the XL Center, as well, fourth-year junior guard Alterique Gilbert had six points, five assists (including several beauties to Whaley) and no turnovers.

UConn improved to 16-12 overall and 7-8 in the AAC. The Huskies match last year’s victory total and have essentially clinched their first non-losing season since 2016.

UCF fell to 14-13 overall, 5-10 AAC.

UConn got off to a hot start, hitting 6 of its first 7 from the floor to build up a 14-8 lead. But the Huskies allowed UCF to get to the rim a little too easily, and the first half was a see-saw affair. Isaiah Whaley (10 first-half points) scored on a putback with 45 seconds left to help the Huskies enter the break with a 36-32 led.

It remaind a close game for the first 10 minutes or so of the latter half, until the Huskies gradually pulled away for a longawaited (and much-needed) blowout victory.

RIM RATTLINGS

⏩ Vital passed Donyell Marshall and Khalid ElAmin on UConn’s all-time scoring list and now sits 12th all-time with 1,654 points. Next up: Cliff Robinson, 1,664.

⏩ Walk-on Matt Garry was unavailable to play after injuring his left foot in practice on Tuesday. Garry, a Southington resident, had his foot in a walking boot.

Jessica Hill / Associated Press UConn’s Isaiah Whaley (5) pulls down a rebound against Central Florida’s Darin Green Jr. (22) in the first half Wednesday.

Jessica Hill / Associated Press UConn’s Sidney Wilson (15) loses the ball as he tangles with Central Florida’s Darin Green Jr. in the first half on Wednesday.

Jessica Hill / Associated Press UConn’s James Bouknight shoots over Central Florida’s Darin Green Jr, left, and Frank Bertz, center, in the first half on Wednesday.