UConn overcomes Ohio State rally for 84-68 win without Khamenia
The fourth-ranked Huskies held off a Buckeye surge at halftime to extend their winning streak to four games.
By Lucia Herrera ·
UConn men's basketball survived a spirited Ohio State push on Saturday to capture an 84-68 victory at PeoplesBank Arena. The fourth-ranked Huskies (4-0) faced their most competitive opponent of the season so far, trailing by only two points before the halftime break. Ohio State (2-2) mounted a 14-point deficit that UConn built in the first half, reducing the margin to 42-40 with under four minutes remaining in the first period.
Egor Amosov, a freshman from Russia, hit a turnaround three-pointer as the shot clock expired to give UConn a 14-point advantage. However, the Buckeyes answered with 13 of the next 14 points. John Mobley capped the rally with a fallaway three-pointer with six seconds left in the first half. UConn committed nine turnovers in the opening period, which Ohio State converted into 16 points.
The game turned in the second half. Braylon Mullins hit a three-pointer at the top of the key with 5:30 remaining to break the tie. Jayden Ross added a three-pointer shortly after, and UConn never trailed again. Mullins finished with a game-high 22 points. Na'jai Hines scored 17 of his 20 points in the second half, and Colben Landrew added 12 points. Silas Demary Jr. recorded 10 points and nine assists but sat out the first half after picking up two early fouls.
Jimmie Williams led Ohio State with 17 points. Mullins appeared to tweak his knee with six minutes left and limped to the stationary bike on the sideline. He returned to the game two minutes later to a loud ovation. The victory was UConn's first without Nik Khamenia, a sophomore transfer who is out six to eight weeks with a foot injury.
Former assistant coach Tom Moore received a midcourt recognition during the game. Ray Allen, Chris Smith, Souleymane Wane, and Rashamel Jones watched from the Huskies' bench. UConn now faces Arizona on Wednesday night in the next leg of a three-game stretch. The team will play Duke in Las Vegas one week later.
