UConn men finish strong to rout Tulane, 60-42, in Hartford
Hartford — Not every performance can be straight out of masterpiece theater.
UConn can live with its ugly 6042 victory over struggling Tulane on Tuesday in an American Athletic Conference before 9,516 at the XL Center.
"Any time you can get a win you're happy about it," forward Shonn Mill- er said. "We still have things to improve on, but we'll get better."
A repeat performance against a stronger team would likely result in a different outcome. Tougher teams are dead ahead with Georgetown (Saturday) and Cincinnati (Jan. 28) both visiting to close out the three-game home stand.
Continuing a recent trend, UConn leaned heavily on its defense against the Green Wave.
The Huskies (13-5, 4-2) survived some rough offensive patches by simply smothering Tulane ( 8-12, 1- 6), which had more turnovers (16) than field goals (14) and shot an icy 26 percent.
UConn made just six field goals in the second half and converted 36 percent overall. No Husky made more than two baskets in the second half.
"The defense was outstanding again," coach Kevin Ollie said. "I really appreciate our guys playing with a defensive focus. We've just got to keep moving the basketball. Hopefully, we can turn around this shooting percentage."
Miller, one of the team's most consistent scorers in recent weeks, finished with 18 points and seven rebounds. He's scored in double figures in 13 straight games.
UConn received a spark from its bench, which accounted for 27 points. That's the highest output since substitutes contributed 33 points versus Central Connecticut State University on Dec. 23.
Senior Omar Calhoun led the bench brigade with 12 points and five rebounds.
"I just wanted to make an instant impact when I got on the floor," Cal-
houn said. "I know I can do a lot on the court, defensively and offensively."
Ollie added: "I was just really happy for Omar and the job that he did for his 20 minutes. He played outstanding."
This game should have been over earlier than it was.
UConn stormed to a 28-9 lead with a 26- 4 spurt. Tulane couldn't locate the basket, misfiring on 18 of its first 22 attempts.
Just like what transpired in UCo- nn's 75-67 win in the first meeting on Jan. 2 in New Orleans, Tulane chipped away at the deficit and gradually climbed back into the game.
UConn's lead was down to 32-18 by halftime.
The gap narrowed to 43-36 with 9 minutes, 48 seconds remaining, thanks to Louis Dabney, who had 12 of his 15 points in the second half. Miller and Calhoun combined for the only three field goals for the Huskies up to that point. A stingy defense saved the Huskies. Tulane went 7:47 without a point. The Green Wave had four turnovers during that drought.
"We're just playing some awesome defense right now," Ollie said. "That's what we hang our hat on. Amida (Brimah) will be back soon, hopefully, and give us that energy that we need. But guys are really stepping up on the defensive end.
"We'll correct this offense. .... We'll get it together."
Meanwhile, the Huskies finally showed some offensive life, bolting on a 15-0 run. Reserves Rodney Purvis, Kentan Facey and Calhoun com- bined for 11 of those points.
In his second game in his new reserve role, Purvis hit two free throws and buried a 3-pointer to start the decisive spurt.
Calhoun converted three free throws to cap it off, pushing the lead to 58-36 with 2:18.
The Huskies finally could go on cruise control.
It was a rough offensive night for UConn's backcourt, as the starting duo of Sterling Gibbs ( 0- for- 5, six points) and Jalen Adams ( 0- for- 4, no points) struggled. Purvis had sev- en points but made just two of eight field goals attempts. Gibbs had averaged 22 points in the previous three games.
"We just need some of our guards to step up and make some baskets," Ollie said. "I know that's going to come."
Brimah, who sat out his ninth straight game, had a doctor's appointment Tuesday and had an x-ray taken of broken finger. He may return as soon as the second week of February. g.keefe@theday.com Twitter: @GavinKeefe