Huskies Come Up Short, Fall To No. 11 Florida State

The UConn Huskies twice fought back from double-digit deficits, but
ultimately dropped a 79-71 decision to the No. 11 Florida State Seminoles.

By Bob Phillips

NEWARK, N.J.—Redshirt sophomore Alterique Gilbert poured in a career-high 24 points while Jalen Adams and Tarin Smith added 15 and 12 point each, but in the end, the UConn Huskies simply dug themselves too big a hole. A late second-half rally by the Huskies fell short, and Connecticut fell to No. 11 Florida State, 79-71, at the Prudential Center in the Never Forget Tribute Classic on Saturday night.

 

UConn took an early 9-3 lead fueled by a trey by Adams and inside buckets from Vital and Polley, but Florida State came right back and claimed a one-point lead at the second media timeout. Sidney Wilson and Kassoum Yakwe helped the Huskies regain the lead, 22-17, but the Seminoles again charged back, using an 11-2 run over the final 5:16 of the half to take a 39-33 advantage into the locker room at intermission.

 

Playing a ranked opponent on a neutral court, it was imperative for the Huskies to take control coming out of the locker room. But that didn’t happen. Indeed, the opposite occurred. Uconn couldn’t hit the broadside of a barn, not scoring from the field over the first 10 minutes of the second half. Meanwhile, the Seminoles used a 6-0 run do double its advantage, taking a 45-33.

 

After falling behind by as many as 15, the Husky offense finally kicked in. Back-to-back treys from Adams and Gilbert cut the deficit to seven with just under seven minutes to play. But the Seminoles returned volley, taking a 68-58 lead with 4:17 left in regulation. The determined Huskies, however, would not go away.

 

Connecticut made a valiant push to cut the lead in half and trailed by just five, 72-67, with a buck twenty left in regulation. But that was a close as it got as the Seminoles sealed the deal at the charity stripe and came away with an eight-point victory.

 

There were some positives to take from the game, however, Gilbert shot 8-for-15 from the floor en route to his 24-point night. The Huskies also held a 19-9 advantage on fast-break points, held an 18-16 advantage in points scored off turnovers, and scored 30 points in the paint.

 

With the loss, UConn falls to 7-3 while Florida State improves to 8-1. The Huskies now get a week off before resuming play on Dec. 15 vs. the Manhattan Jaspers. Tip-off at Gampel Pavilion is at 7 p.m., and the game will be televised on SNY and streamed on ESPN3.  

—with staff reports