Men's Basketball: UConn Overcomes Slow Start, Thrashes Sacred Heart, 82-49

HARTFORD — Rodney Purvis and Daniel Hamilton led the way, as UConn overcame a tough start to demolish Sacred Heart 82-49 at the XL Center.

The Huskies (5-2) were down 23-12 early in the first half, but outscored the Pioneers (1-5) 70-26 from thereon out.

Hamilton finished with a double-double, posting 14 points and 13 rebounds, along with seven assists. Purvis had 19 points.

It took a long time for UConn to develop a rhythm after a sluggish start. The Huskies were down 9-2 before anyone could blink. Play was sloppy on both ends of the floor, as the Pioneers took advantage of its opportunities off UConn turnovers.

Kevin Ollie went to his bench a lot in the first half, using 14 different lineup combinations. The only one to be used more than once was the starting lineup—Sterling Gibbs, Purvis, Hamilton, Shonn Miller, Amida Brimah—which played together for 3:07 in the first half, tying Sacred Heart 4-4 during those two stretches.

The Huskies were down by as many as 11 at one point in the first half before going on a 29-4 run to end the first half.

UConn continued its dominance in the second half, as the Huskies cruised to their fifth victory of the season.

The Huskies are back in action against Maryland Tuesday at Madison Square Garden.