STORRS, CT – Alex Karaban delivered a statement performance in his junior season debut, recording 19 points and 10 rebounds to lead No. 4 UConn to a 77-59 victory over New Haven on Monday night at a sold-out Gampel Pavilion. The Huskies (1-0) controlled the historic first-ever meeting between the programs from start to finish, extending their season-opening winning streak to eight straight under head coach Dan Hurley.
The victory marked New Haven’s (0-1) Division I debut, and while the Chargers showed flashes of competitiveness throughout, UConn’s depth, size, and championship pedigree proved too much to overcome. Four Huskies scored in double figures, and the home team dominated the glass with a commanding 40-25 rebounding advantage that translated into a 13-2 edge in second-chance points.
Karaban Sets the Tone
Karaban was efficient and assertive from the opening tip, shooting 6-of-10 from the field, including 3-of-4 from three-point range, and a perfect 4-for-4 from the free-throw line. His double-double was his first of the season and showcased the versatility that makes him one of the nation’s premier returning players.
“Alex controlled the tempo tonight,” a source close to the program said. “He made the right plays, showed leadership, and set the standard for what we expect this season.”
Beyond the box score, Karaban’s performance carried historical weight. His 19 points pushed his career total to 1,369, moving him past Toby Kimball (1,361) for 26th in UConn program history. His perfect night from the charity stripe also elevated his career free-throw percentage to 84.4%, surpassing Albert Mouring (84.2%) for fourth all-time in Huskies history.
Balanced Scoring Attack
While Karaban led the way, UConn’s offensive balance was evident throughout. Sophomore guard Solo Ball contributed 18 points despite a tough shooting night (4-of-14 from the field), but his aggressiveness at the free-throw line—where he went 7-for-7—and his three triples kept the Huskies’ offense flowing. Ball also grabbed five rebounds and played a team-high 33 minutes.
Junior center Jaylin Stewart added 11 points on an efficient 5-of-8 shooting performance and pulled down eight rebounds, providing a steady interior presence. Sophomore guard Silas Demary Jr. chipped in 10 points, five rebounds, and two assists in 20 minutes off the bench, showcasing the depth that will be critical for UConn’s championship aspirations.
Freshman guard Malachi Smith made his UConn debut count, dishing out a team-high four assists to go along with six points in 22 minutes. His playmaking ability and court vision were on full display, providing a glimpse of what the Huskies’ backcourt could look like as the season progresses.
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Defensive Dominance and Rebounding Edge
UConn’s defense set the tone early and never relented. The Huskies held New Haven to 44.2% shooting from the field and a dismal 21.4% (3-of-14) from three-point range. The Chargers struggled to find any rhythm offensively, particularly from beyond the arc, where they managed just three makes on 14 attempts.
The Huskies’ rebounding dominance was a key factor in controlling the game. UConn out-rebounded New Haven 40-25, including a 10-4 advantage on the offensive glass. That activity on the boards translated directly into a 13-2 edge in second-chance points and a 36-30 advantage in points in the paint.
Freshman forward Dwayne Koroma made an immediate impact in his debut, recording a game-high three steals in 13 minutes. UConn finished with a 9-7 edge in steals, showcasing the defensive activity and pressure that will define this team’s identity.
Game Flow: UConn’s Early Control
The Huskies wasted no time establishing control, scoring the first two baskets of the contest and jumping out to a 10-3 lead. A 3-pointer from Karaban at the 13:14 mark of the first half gave UConn a 14-9 edge and sparked an 11-2 run. Alec Millender’s transition triple at 7:47 pushed the lead to double digits for the first time at 22-11.
New Haven briefly pulled within two during a 3:30 UConn field goal drought, but the Huskies responded with late triples from Ball and Karaban to take a 37-24 lead into halftime despite a slow shooting start.
The second half began with back-to-back interior buckets from Demary Jr. and Stewart, extending UConn’s lead to 45-28 and forcing a New Haven timeout at 17:35. The Chargers responded with a 7-0 run to cut the deficit to 10, but Ball quickly halted the surge with six straight points as part of a 9-0 UConn run that made it 54-35 with 13:40 remaining.
New Haven continued to battle, pulling within 13 before an electric sequence featuring a Stewart block and assist on a Ball triple energized the crowd. A driving layup from Demary Jr. made it 59-41 and triggered New Haven’s fourth timeout with 10:27 to play.
Karaban’s third three-pointer of the night at 6:07 gave UConn its first 20-point lead at 67-46. The Huskies closed the game on a 9-0 run over the final 2:15 to push the final margin to 18 points.
New Haven’s Bright Spots
Despite the loss, New Haven showed resilience and competitiveness in its Division I debut. Junior forward Andre Pasha led the Chargers with 17 points on 8-of-16 shooting and grabbed six rebounds in 36 minutes. His interior presence and scoring ability kept New Haven within striking distance for much of the contest.
Senior forward Malachi Adeleye added 13 points on an efficient 6-of-9 shooting performance, while senior guard Nate George contributed 14 points, though he struggled from the field (5-for-13) and the free-throw line (2-for-7).
The Chargers shot 44.2% from the field overall and improved to 46.2% in the second half, but their inability to convert from three-point range and the free-throw line (42.9%, 6-of-14) proved costly. New Haven also struggled to generate second-chance opportunities, managing just four offensive rebounds compared to UConn’s 10.
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By the Numbers
UConn’s efficiency was evident across the board:
- Field Goal Percentage: 48.2% (27-56) vs. New Haven’s 44.2% (23-52)
- Three-Point Shooting: 34.8% (8-23) vs. 21.4% (3-14)
- Free Throw Shooting: 85.0% (17-20) vs. 42.9% (6-14)
- Rebounding: 40-25 advantage for UConn (+15)
- Points in the Paint: 36-30 in favor of UConn
- Second-Chance Points: 13-2 advantage for UConn
- Fast Break Points: 6-1 in favor of UConn
- Bench Points: 15-4 advantage for UConn
- Assists: UConn had 11 assists on 27 made field goals
Historical Context and Milestones
Monday night’s victory continued several impressive streaks for UConn and head coach Dan Hurley:
- UConn improved to 93-30 all-time in season openers and 8-0 under Dan Hurley
- Hurley is now 15-1 as a collegiate head coach in the first game of a season
- UConn has sold out 24 straight games at Gampel Pavilion, a streak that began on December 1, 2022
- The game marked the official UConn debut of Demary Jr., Smith, Eric Reibe, Alec Millender, and Dwayne Koroma
What’s Next
UConn will make its regular-season Hartford debut on Friday, November 7, when the Huskies host UMass Lowell at PeoplesBank Arena for a 7 p.m. tip on Peacock. The game will provide another opportunity for Hurley’s squad to build chemistry and refine their systems before Big East play begins.
For New Haven, the Chargers will look to regroup and find more offensive consistency as they continue their inaugural Division I season. The experience of facing a top-five program in a hostile environment will serve as a valuable learning opportunity as they navigate the challenges of competing at the highest level of college basketball.
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Box Score Summary
New Haven (0-1): Andre Pasha 17 pts/6 reb, Nate George 14 pts, Malachi Adeleye 13 pts, Jaden Fitzpatrick 7 pts
UConn (1-0): Alex Karaban 19 pts/10 reb, Solo Ball 18 pts/5 reb, Jaylin Stewart 11 pts/8 reb, Silas Demary Jr. 10 pts/5 reb, Malachi Smith 6 pts/4 ast
Key Stats: UConn shot 48.2% from the field and 85.0% from the free-throw line while dominating the boards 40-25. The Huskies led for 39:22 and never trailed in the contest.
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