No. 4 UConn too strong for Georgetown

Field Level Media|published: Sun 14th January, 14:39 2024

Jan 14, 2024; Hartford, Connecticut, USA; Georgetown Hoyas forward Supreme Cook (24) called for the foul against Connecticut Huskies forward Alex Karaban (11) in the first half at XL Center. credits: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Alex Karaban and Cam Spencer fueled a 3-point barrage that propelled No. 4 UConn past visiting Georgetown 80-67 on Sunday in Hartford, Conn.

Karaban shot 6 of 8 from deep and matched his season-high with 26 points, while Spencer drilled five of his seven triples and tallied 20 points for the Huskies (15-2, 5-1 Big East). Stephon Castle chipped in 14 points and went 9 of 12 from the free-throw line.

UConn tied its season-high with 13 3-pointers on 24 attempts (54.2 percent) and shot 51.1 overall from the field to improve to 9-0 at home this season.

Supreme Cook paired 18 points with 13 rebounds to lead the Hoyas (8-9, 1-5) before fouling out with 6:23 remaining. Jay Heath fouled out with 3:30 to play, finishing with 13 points, and Jayden Epps tallied 16.

Georgetown shot 34 percent from the field, made four of 16 3-pointers and converted 29 of 38 free throws (76.3 percent).

The Hoyas trailed 52-46 with 13:23 left after scoring six straight points before the Huskies manufactured a quick 7-2 run to remain in control.

Jaylin Stewart's dunk bumped UConn back up by 11 at the 10:35 mark, and Karaban later drilled his final 3-pointer to match the Huskies' largest lead of the day at 74-61 with 3:43 to play.

Georgetown never pulled closer than 11 points the rest of the way.

Aggressive defense from both teams produced a gritty first half filled with long possessions and contested shots.

The Hoyas pounded the ball inside but struggled to convert from close range, instead relying on their 16-of-22 mark at the free-throw line. UConn pushed the pace when it could, outscoring Georgetown 11-0 in fastbreak points, and created space on the outside to drill seven 3-pointers on 11 attempts.

The Hoyas' offense was dormant aside from Cook, who scored 16 points and made eight of 11 free throws in the opening period. Cook went 4-for-4 in from the field in the first half, while the rest of the team shot 3-of-20 (15 percent).

Karaban's 19 first-half points led UConn's more efficient attack, which finished 52.4 percent from the floor. Karaban drilled five triples, including a trey from the top of the key that surged the Huskies ahead 32-22 with 3:32 left before halftime.

Tristen Newton's and-one gave UConn its largest lead of the half at 36-22 before Karaban added another 3-pointer to help the Huskies carry a 40-31 advantage into the break.

—Field Level Media