A familiar result
Cincy wins sixth straight against UConn
CINCINNATI — Newly refurbished arena, familiar — though hardly similar — result.
UConn trailed by 11 in the second half and by eight with less than six CINCINNATI minutes to play, but 74 rallied back to take the lead, then sent UCONN the game into over- 72 time on an Alterique
Gilbert runner as time expired.
Even with leading scorer Jalen Adams sitting on the bench after fouling out with 21⁄ minutes left in 2 regulation.
However, Cincinnati used a steady stream of trips to the foul line and a big 3-pointer by Justin Jenifer to pull out a 74-72 victory at Fifth Third Arena.
Cincinnati has now won six straight over UConn. The prior five were by an average margin of 15.4 points.
Cincinnati led by 11 (46-35) after a Keith Williams basket (on a Sid Wilson goaltend) with 12:44 left in regulation. UConn went zone and chipped away at the lead, but the Bearcats used a barrage of free throws to take a 56-48 lead with 6:13 left.
The Huskies countered with three straight 3-pointers, two of them by Christian Vital — the latter giving UConn its first lead (57-56) since the 7:18 mark of the first half.
But Adams fouled out with 2:26 left and Jarron Cumberland hit a pair of free throws. And when Nysier Brooks slammed home a dunk with 1:52 left to put the Bearcats up four, it didn’t look good for the Huskies.
But Gilbert hit a 3-pointer. With 40.2 seconds left, Cane Broome hit one of two free throws. Cincinnati burned a couple of fouls, and with 4.5 seconds left, UConn inbounded the ball to Gilbert, who drove the lane and hit a runner to send it to OT.
Jenifer’s trey with 1:20 left in OT put the Bearcats up five. Again, UConn didn’t give in, getting to within two on Gilbert’s conven-
Sunday, 1 p.m.
Gampel Pavilion, Storrs
USF (10-6, 1-1); UConn (13-1, 2-0)
ESPN
UConn/IMG Sports Network — 97.9 ESPN-Hartford, WINE 940 AM-Brookfield, WGCH 1490 AM-Greenwich, WICC 600 AM-Bridgeport, WAVZ 1300 AM-New Haven, WXLM 980 AM-New London, WATR 1320 AM-Waterbury, WILI 1400 AMWillimantic
KEEP AN EYE ON
▶ Sunday could be a milestone day for senior Katie Lou Samuelson, who is just 13 points away from 2,000 for her career. She’d be the 10th Husky to achieve that feat, joining Maya Moore, Breanna Stewart, Tina Charles, Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis, Nykesha Sales, Kerry Bascom, Diana Taurasi, Kara Wolters and Rebecca Lobo.
While it speaks to her consistency and longevity, it’s not an accomplishment Samuelson expects to celebrate — at least not yet.
“It’s definitely amazing to be in company that’s done it, but right now, no (it doesn’t mean anything),” she said Friday following practice at Gampel Pavilion. “It’s just another game and it’s me trying to get better every single game and doing what I can to help the team. People put a lot of emphasis on scoring and stuff, but … if for some reason I never got 2,000 from here on out, it still wouldn’t be anything wrong with that as long as I know I’m contributing in any way I can.”
The 6-foot-3 guard is having perhaps her most complete season, averaging 19.6 points, a career-best 8.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists.
“It’s something you want to look at and model,” forward Megan Walker said. “She can shoot the ball and score any way on the court, really. I feel like playing with her, you know her open spots, you know her tendencies, you’re just trying to help her out at the same time.”
▶ Walker has answered her coach’s call to be more aggressive by posting back-to-back strong performances. Wednesday against Cincinnati, Walker had eight points, eight rebounds and three assists in just 25 minutes.
“This may have been one of Megan Walker’s best games since she’s been at Connecticut,” Geno Auriemma said following the Huskies’ 82-38 win. “If we can continue to get that every game, I think we’re going to be on our way.”
Like last year, consistency has been elusive for the former No. 1 overall recruit. Though Walker’s production has increased as a sophomore — she’s averaging 10.8 points and 5.8 rebounds, up from 5.8 and 3.3 last season — she’s yet to conquer the learning curve.
“With Meg, it’s a process of learning how to play 30 minutes when you’re not necessarily the best player on the floor, and how do you fit into all that,” Auriemma said. “That takes time.”
Added Walker: “I feel more confident, it’s just a matter of knocking down shots.”
▶ UConn is 26-0 all-time against USF, including 14-0 in AAC play. The Huskies have beaten the Bulls in the last four conference championship games.
PROBABLE STARTERS