C Connecticut defeats Le Moyne 59-69
C Connecticut Edges Le Moyne in Conference Thriller
The visiting UConn Huskies edged out the host Le Moyne Lions 69-59 in a hard-fought conference matchup at Ted Grant Court on Monday night.
The game was a testament to the Huskies' ability to adapt and overcome, as they weathered a tough shooting performance from Le Moyne. The Lions came into the contest with the second-highest 3-point shooting percentage in the conference, but struggled from beyond the arc, making just 19.0% of their attempts.
Le Moyne's Shilo Jackson was the standout performer for the Lions, scoring 13 points on an impressive 71.4% shooting clip. However, his team's inability to find consistency from outside and control turnovers ultimately proved costly.
Meanwhile, UConn's Darin Smith Jr. led the charge with a strong all-around performance, scoring 24 points while grabbing 12 rebounds. The Huskies' balanced attack allowed them to stay in front of Le Moyne, with Jay Rodgers chipping in 12 points and three assists off the bench.
The turning point in the game came at halftime, when UConn's bench outscored Le Moyne's 17-0, setting the tone for a more even second half. The Huskies' superior rebounding also played a key role in their victory, outboarding the Lions 46-36 on the glass.
In the end, UConn's 10-point win was a testament to their collective effort and ability to overcome adversity. With the win, the Huskies improved their conference standing, while Le Moyne fell back into the pack.
Advanced statistics paint a similar picture, with both teams struggling from outside but ultimately outscoring each other in the paint and on the glass. UConn's eFG% of 40.7% was nearly identical to Le Moyne's 36.3%, while their true shooting percentages told a slightly different story, with UConn at 49.0% and the Lions at 42.7%.
For Le Moyne, Monday's loss will serve as a learning experience as they look to regroup and refocus on their conference schedule. For UConn, this win marked another step towards reclaiming their status as a powerhouse in the conference.
Game Stats:
* Field Goals: UConn (22/59), 37.0%; Le Moyne (20/62), 32.0%
* 2-Point FG: UConn (18/37), 48.6%; Le Moyne (15/35), 42.9%
* 3-Point FG: UConn (4/22), 18.0%; Le Moyne (5/27), 19.0%
* Free Throws: UConn (21/26), 81.0%; Le Moyne (14/16), 88.0%
Game Leaders:
UConn:
* Darin Smith Jr.: 24 points, 12 rebounds
* Jay Rodgers: 12 points, 3 assists
Le Moyne:
* Shilo Jackson: 13 points