MBB: Admiral Adama - Sanogo Takeover Allows UConn To Quell Red Storm
STORRS- Faced with another overtime session to decide a Big East thriller, the Connecticut Huskies’ men’s basketball team ensured the faithful gathered at Harry A. Gampel Pavillion that it wouldn’t be deja vu all over again.
UConn used more history from Adama Sanogo to not only overcome an upset bid from St. John’s but flip the script on their issues in close games. The sophomore set a career-high in rebounds for the second straight contest, picking up 26 points and 18 boards en route to an 86-78 overtime triumph over the Red Storm. Connecticut (11-4, 2-2 Big East) partook in consecutive overtime games for the first time since 2013, getting back in the win column after Saturday’s heartbreaking defeat to No. 20 Seton Hall.
Overtime seemed to be the furthest thing from anyone’s mind for a majority of Wednesday’s game. UConn had trouble advancing their lead beyond five in the first half, maintaining such a lead going into the intermission. The second half saw them go up by as much as 11 in the early stages of the latter frame, a lead anchored through a block party that sent Storrs into a frenzy. UConn blocked 14 shots in maintaining their lead, with Sanogo (6) and Isaiah Whaley (5) uniting for all but three in that tally. R.J. Cole not only fulfilled his traditional offensive duties (19 points, 8 assists) by taking drawing four offensive fouls.
However, St. John’s (9-5, 1-2 Big East) lingered around just long enough to find themselves in a one-possession game entering the final minute of regulation. Julian Champagnie scored nine points over the final four minutes to sustain the Red Storm’s comeback, seemingly capping it off with a three-pointer with just over four seconds remaining. The 71-70 lead was the Red Storm’s first since a 20-18 advantage just past the midway mark of the first half.
Able to advance the ball for an inbound opportunity on the other end, UConn tried to draw a foul on a Tyrese Martin drive to no avail. Sanogo, however, cleaned up on the offensive glass and got the desired foul that sent him to the line. He’d sink one of the ensuing pair, gaining the necessary point for an extra period.
A Champagnie jumper opened scoring in the extra session, but it was all Huskies from there on out, as an 11-0 run that took up 3:30 of overtime was enough to create the final difference. The fateful shutout was completed via a Whaley steal, with the ball eventually ending up in the hands of Andre Jackson, whose fast break turned into an and-one opportunity that eliminated any thoughts of St. John’s mounting yet another comeback.
Four of Connecticut’s five starters reached double figures on Wednesday, with Cole (19), Jackson, and Martin (11 each) joining Sanogo. Champagnie led all scorers with 27, while St. John’s box score saw Posh Alexander earn an 11-point, 10-rebound double-double. The Huskies and Red Storm will do battle again on Feb. 13 at Madison Square Garden.
Connecticut returns to action on Saturday afternoon, where they’ll seek revenge on the road against No. 23 Providence (2:00pm ET, FS1). The Huskies will look to make up for a 57-53 loss to the Friars (14-2, 4-1 Big East) suffered in their Big East opener on Dec. 18. Providence has not swept a season series from UConn since 2008. COVID-19 issues within their program caused the Friars’ Tuesday game against Creighton to be postponed.
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags
