Hartford, CT — The fourth-ranked UConn Huskies (2-0) delivered a historic performance Friday night at PeoplesBank Arena, dismantling UMass Lowell 110-47 in front of a sold-out crowd of 15,495. The Huskies set a program record with a 47-point halftime lead and had seven players score in double figures in the dominant victory.
Senior center Tarris Reed Jr. made his season debut in spectacular fashion, recording 20 points, 12 rebounds, and four blocks on 9-of-12 shooting in just 17 minutes of action for his 11th career double-double. Guard Silas Demary Jr. added 16 points, seven assists, and four steals, while Solo Ball (14), Malachi Smith (14), Alex Karaban (13), Eric Reibe (11), and Jaylin Stewart (10) also reached double figures.
UConn shot over 60 percent from the field for the first time since February 10, 2024, while holding UMass Lowell (1-1) under 25 percent shooting—the first time the Huskies have accomplished that defensive feat since January 31, 2016.
“I just felt like the appropriate level of anger and a mindset of a redemption Friday, just relative to the first official game performance,” head coach Dan Hurley said. “I was pleased to see the level of defensive intensity that we were able to sustain for probably 80 percent of the game, 85 percent of the game. That’s because of the depth.”
First Half: Historic Dominance
The Huskies wasted no time asserting their dominance, opening the game on a blistering 44-3 run that left the River Hawks reeling. UConn did not allow a field goal for over 13 minutes of game action, forcing 17 straight misses to start the contest.
Reed Jr. broke the ice on UConn’s first possession with a putback, setting the tone for what would become a historic night. The Huskies scored the first 11 points of regulation before Ball and Karaban splashed back-to-back 3-pointers to push the lead to 17-1 at the first media timeout with 15:18 remaining in the opening half.
“The only thing you’re saying is, like, don’t be the guy to give up the first field goal,” Hurley said. “And then you’re disappointed that you gave up 32 free throws in the game.”
Smith took over minutes later, rattling off a personal 9-0 run to put the Huskies up 26-2 with 13:10 to play in the first half. The onslaught continued as UConn opened up an absurd 44-3 lead following a Jayden Ross steal-and-score before a UMass Lowell timeout at 7:37.
The River Hawks finally broke through with their first field goal at 6:18 of the first half when Austin Green converted a layup, but by then the damage was done. UConn took a commanding 64-17 lead into halftime, shooting 68.6 percent (24-35) from the field while holding UMass Lowell to a dismal 12.0 percent (3-25) shooting.
The 47-point halftime advantage shattered UConn’s previous program record of 40 points, set against Wagner on November 27, 1998 (63-23). It also marked the largest halftime lead in the Dan Hurley era, surpassing the 35-point edge against Long Island on December 10, 2022 (62-27).
Second Half: More of the Same
The second half featured more of the same dominance as UConn continued to pour it on. Reed Jr. polished off his double-double with his 10th rebound at the 10:50 mark of the second half, capping off an impressive season debut.
Both sides substituted liberally late in the game, allowing for the official UConn debuts of freshmen Rrezon Elezaj and Uroš Paunović. The reserves continued the dominant performance, as the Husky bench outscored the UMass Lowell bench 37-11.
UConn finished the game shooting 60.9 percent (42-69) from the field, 39.1 percent (9-23) from 3-point range, and 77.3 percent (17-22) from the free-throw line. The Huskies last shot over 60 percent when they hit at a 61.1 percent clip on February 10, 2024, against Georgetown.
Reed Jr.’s Triumphant Return
Reed Jr.’s season debut could not have gone much better. The Michigan transfer was a force on both ends of the floor, dominating the paint with his efficient scoring and shot-blocking prowess. His 20-point, 12-rebound performance marked his fifth “20 and 10” double-double of his UConn career and his 11th career double-double overall.
“First, I got to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, man. It’s been a wild, per se, month stretch. My first, like, multiple weeks out of my whole career in college basketball,” Reed Jr. said. “The Lord has been so grateful, so gracious to me. I came out feeling great tonight. Thank my guys, thank the coaching staff, thank my athletic trainers.”
The senior big man’s presence was felt immediately, as he scored on putbacks, dunks, and layups while protecting the rim with four blocks. His efficiency was remarkable, missing just three shots all night while controlling the glass and altering countless shots in the paint.
“He makes a big difference on both ends, on the backboard. He’s one of the best big guys in the country,” Hurley said. “He’s got a big personality. He’s developing into, potentially, he’s got a chance to become a great player this year. The guy never has a bad day, and he knows he’s got a chance to become a great player at UConn, become potentially a championship player at UConn, and to become an NBA draft pick this year.”
Reed Jr. spoke about his mindset returning from injury: “You would think, like, a year under where I could just go out there and just sometimes always be that Kodiak, but I feel like I literally always have to be that Kodiak. It’s a mindset, especially being at UConn. The standard and the bar were raised even higher than last year, so there’s no time to be comfortable. The Kodiak is back, baby.”
Huskies News:
- Karaban’s Double-Double Powers No. 4 UConn Past New Haven in Season Opener
- No. 4 UConn Dominates No. 22 Michigan State in Exhibition Thriller at Hartford
- No. 1 UConn Women’s Basketball Dominates SCSU 105-39 in Final Exhibition
Balanced Offensive Attack
UConn’s balanced scoring attack was on full display as seven players reached double figures. Demary Jr. orchestrated the offense with precision, dishing out seven assists while adding 16 points and four steals. The sophomore guard was a catalyst in transition, pushing the pace and creating easy scoring opportunities for his teammates.
“I would say, man, it’s been pretty tough, bro. I think the past couple of days have been rough on everybody,” Demary Jr. said. “We needed that. We needed to see that we didn’t do enough on Monday and just to pick it up, come out there tonight and perform the way we’re supposed to. I think it’s a standard we have to hold ourselves to.”
Ball contributed 14 points on 5-of-6 shooting, including a 3-pointer, while also grabbing five rebounds. Smith added 14 points off the bench, highlighted by his personal 9-0 run in the first half that helped blow the game open.
Karaban finished with 13 points on 5-of-10 shooting, including three 3-pointers, while Reibe added 11 points on an efficient 5-of-6 shooting performance. Stewart rounded out the double-figure scorers with 10 points and a career-high six assists.
“The strength of this team is going to be the depth. We had seven in doubles, and then Jay Ross with eight points, so you almost had eight in doubles without Braylon playing and no Furphy,” Hurley said. “This is one of the deepest teams I’ve ever had. We’re deep at point guard, we’re deep at center, we’re deep on the wing.”
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Defensive Dominance
UConn’s defensive performance was equally impressive, holding UMass Lowell to just 21.3 percent (10-47) shooting from the field and 28.6 percent (4-14) from 3-point range. The Huskies last held an opponent below 25 percent shooting on January 31, 2016, when they limited UCF to a 12-51 (23.5 percent) performance.
The River Hawks did not convert a field goal until 6:18 of the first half, missing their first 17 attempts. UConn’s length and athleticism disrupted UMass Lowell’s offensive flow throughout the night, forcing 21 turnovers and converting them into 30 points.
“It just felt good to have a game like that. This team has now told on itself relative to what it’s capable of at the defensive end,” Hurley said. “It felt good; it’d been, you know, we didn’t have really a game like that last year. We won some games by a considerable margin, but there was a level of dominance.”
The Huskies dominated the paint on both ends, outscoring the River Hawks 62-12 in the restricted area. Reed Jr. and Reibe anchored the interior defense, combining for six blocks and altering countless other shots.
“I think Terrace brings a certain presence. He’s an enforcer,” Ball said. “When you look at us across the board and you see T. Reid playing the five, it’s a scary sight because he has such a big presence. I think he impacts a lot of shots. He talks a lot, and he’s a leader.”
Hurley emphasized the team’s accountability after their opening performance: “There were posters throughout the building of players not helping each other on defense. There were all types of statistics of players getting scored on and not making identity hustle plays. These players are very well resourced. They owe it to the university, they owe it to each other, they owe it to the coaching staff, they owe it to the fan base to go out and play on game night and practice every day to the absolute max.”
Controlling the Glass
UConn dominated the boards, out-rebounding UMass Lowell 46-22 for a +24 advantage. Reed Jr. led the way with 12 rebounds, while Ball, Reibe, and Ross each grabbed five.
The Huskies turned 15 offensive rebounds into a 16-7 edge in second-chance points, consistently winning the battle for 50-50 balls and creating extra possessions. The rebounding dominance was a key factor in UConn’s ability to control the tempo and maintain its massive lead throughout the game.
Transition Excellence
UConn’s transition game was lethal, as the Huskies outscored UMass Lowell 35-8 in fast-break points. Demary Jr. led the charge, using his speed and vision to create easy scoring opportunities in the open court.
“Yeah, I mean, that’s why we struggled last year. That was the difference with the 24 and the 23 teams. We were just so efficient in transition,” Hurley said. “When your defense is dog shit, you’re not in transition. You’re not forcing your opponent to take bad shots or turn into long rebounds, which turns into advantages. You’re not getting the steals and the deflections.”
The Huskies forced 11 turnovers before committing their first miscue and finished with a +11 turnover margin. UConn’s ability to convert turnovers into points was a major factor in the lopsided final score, as the Huskies scored 30 points off UMass Lowell’s 21 turnovers.
“It was super important. Coach was talking about we got to get back to being vintage UConn, going on runs, getting multiple stops and scoring,” Demary Jr. said. “At one point, we went on like a 30-0 run or something like that, so just stacking those and putting those together, I think that’s very important to who we are.”
Ball Movement and Assists
UConn’s unselfish play was evident in the assist column, as the Huskies recorded 27 assists on 42 field goals. Demary Jr. led the way with seven assists, while Stewart dished out a career-high six helpers.
The ball movement was crisp and purposeful, as UConn consistently found the open man and created high-percentage scoring opportunities. The Huskies’ ability to share the ball and play team basketball was a key factor in their offensive efficiency.
Bench Production
UConn’s bench outscored the UMass Lowell reserves 37-11, providing a significant advantage in depth and talent. Smith led the second unit with 14 points, while Reibe added 11 points and five rebounds.
The bench production allowed Hurley to rest his starters and keep everyone fresh for the upcoming schedule. The depth will be crucial as the Huskies navigate a challenging non-conference slate and prepare for Big East play.
Hurley praised reserve Alec Millender for his effort: “Let me tell you something. Like having a guy like Alec, that guy’s a real guy. His floor dives, I mean, one of our people are gonna talk about our best acquisitions. That guy’s gonna be, when it’s all said and done, he’s got a chance to be one of the best acquisitions that we brought into the program. That guy, he’s a real guy, real guy.”
Leadership and Accountability
Hurley challenged his team’s leadership, particularly Karaban, after the opening game disappointment.
“Part of it was Alex’s disappointment in himself as a leader. He could play at a high level in his sleep, but you gotta have a loud voice,” Hurley said. “We want him and Tarris to be like the captains of the team. He’s got to lead these guys. He’s got to set a standard. He’s got to raise his voice sometimes.”
Hurley emphasized the importance of accountability among teammates: “The best thing a friend could do for a friend is tell them the truth and be honest with them, like when they’re not playing the right way or when they’re not playing hard enough and when they’re not playing up to the UConn standard. Young people don’t do it with each other enough because they’re afraid they’re going to offend each other’s soft ass.”
Historic Performance
The 110-point outing marked the most points scored by UConn since they put up 114 against LIU on December 10, 2022—which was also the last time the Huskies made over 40 field goals in a game.
UConn improved to 3-0 all-time against UMass Lowell and extended several impressive streaks. Friday night marked the Huskies’ 14th consecutive regular-season sellout in Hartford, a streak dating back to December 23, 2023. UConn has now won 19 straight games in Hartford and 35 consecutive home games against non-conference opponents.
By the Numbers
- Final Score: UConn 110, UMass Lowell 47
- Field Goal Percentage: UConn 60.9% (42-69), UMass Lowell 21.3% (10-47)
- 3-Point Percentage: UConn 39.1% (9-23), UMass Lowell 28.6% (4-14)
- Free Throw Percentage: UConn 77.3% (17-22), UMass Lowell 71.9% (23-32)
- Rebounds: UConn 46, UMass Lowell 22
- Assists: UConn 27, UMass Lowell 4
- Turnovers: UConn 10, UMass Lowell 21
- Points in the Paint: UConn 62, UMass Lowell 12
- Fast Break Points: UConn 35, UMass Lowell 8
- Bench Points: UConn 37, UMass Lowell 11
For UMass Lowell, Jared Frey led the way with 12 points on 2-of-8 shooting, while Xavier Spencer added 11 points. JJ Massaquoi contributed nine points off the bench, but the River Hawks struggled mightily from the field all night.
Looking Ahead
The Huskies have a quick turnaround and return to action on campus Monday, November 10, when Columbia visits Gampel Pavilion at 6:30 p.m. on FS1. UConn will look to continue its dominant start to the season as they build momentum ahead of a challenging non-conference schedule.
“Columbia beat a team better than we beat them. As far as I’m concerned, Columbia is the Super Bowl for us on Monday night,” Hurley said. “We’ve got to be like a pack of hungry wolves in that one. You’ve got to be able to sustain 40-minute efforts to beat teams like Columbia.”
With Reed Jr. now in the lineup and the offense firing on all cylinders, the fourth-ranked Huskies are rounding into form as one of the nation’s elite teams.
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