Texas Southern 55 University of Connecticut 106 (December 3, 2006)
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0 commentsThe University of Connecticut Huskies have gotten off to their traditional perfect start to the season, feasting on a cupcake schedule. The feast continued Sunday, with the Huskies thoroughly thrashing an overmatched and undersized Texas Southern squad, 106-55 at Gampel Pavilion.
The game was never close, as UConn jumped out to an 18-8 lead with 11:52 to play in the first period, and Texas Southern never got closer than 9 the rest of the way. By the half, UConn had extended its lead to 58-28.
Sophomore A.J. Price delivered the best game of his young career, cashing in 20 points and dishing out 7 assists. After medically redshirting two years ago, Price was forced to sit out all of last season for his part in a scheme to sell stolen laptop computers. As a result, this game was only Price's seventh in a Connecticut uniform, and he's starting to show why he was heavily recruited way back when.
Freshmen Jerome Dyson and Doug Wiggins added 19 and 17 points, respectively, while sophomore Jeff Adrien added 11 points and 9 rebounds. Adrien, the only regular on this year's squad to see significant playing time last year, has been a solid presence down low, giving the freshman a reliable outlet, as well as a force on the offensive rebounds.
Perhaps the most impressive performance of the day was delivered by the 7-3 freshman from Tanzania, Hasheem Thabeet. His 10 blocks tied a UConn single-game record, joining Donyell Marshall and Emeka Okafor with that distinction.
Leonta Matthews was Texas Southern's sole representative in the double-digit scoring club, with 10 points.
Texas Southern was held to just 35.6% shooting from the field, failing to hit any from long range. Connecticut held a 41-31 rebounding edge, and managed to hit 10 of 18 from 3-point range.
Connecticut still plays Northeastern, St. Mary's (CA), Pepperdine, and Coppin State, all at home, before conference play starts December 30 with a trip to West Virginia.
Date
December 3, 2006
