(BUTLER RELEASE)
UConn posted a 63-51 win over visiting Butler Tuesday night at Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, Conn. Tyrese Martin led the Huskies with 20 points.
With the result, UConn sweeps the season series between the two schools and improves to 8-3 overall and 5-3 in BIG EAST play. Butler, which had won its last two games, falls to 5-8 (4-6 BIG EAST).
UConn, which is receiving votes in both national polls this week, limited Butler to 35-percent shooting, helped by nine blocks. On the offensive end, the Huskies shot 50 percent.
“The team that played better won tonight,” said Butler coach LaVall Jordan. “UConn is a good defensive team, but I thought we had some good looks that we didn’t finish at times tonight. Our transition defense off those misses wasn’t good in the first half and that dug a hole that we weren’t able to climb out of.”
The Huskies took a 38-24 halftime lead behind 6-of-9 shooting from three-point range over the opening 20 minutes. The half was highlighted by a 14-3 run that turned a one-point game into a 34-20 lead with 3:35 remaining. UConn shot 62 percent from the field in the first half, while the Bulldogs could only manage a 30-percent clip.
Bryce Golden led the Butler offense with a career-high 19 points, including five three-pointers. No other Bulldog made it to double figures.
Butler made four of five shots in a spurt that pulled the visitors within 10 at 49-39 with 9:08 remaining. UConn responded with a 12-2 answer that put the game out of reach.
Bryce Nze pulled down nine rebounds for Butler. The Bulldogs limited UConn to only four offensive rebounds as the Huskies entered the game third nationally with 14.8 offensive rebounds per game.
The Bulldogs return to action Friday night, hosting Xavier at Hinkle Fieldhouse. There are tickets available for the 6:30 p.m. tip, which will also be broadcast on FS1.
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