UConn basketball makes big second half comeback to beat Providence 87-84.
The first half was all Providence as they went into the halftime break with a 39-27 lead over the Huskies. The Friars didn’t need to do anything special to get there either as they played a clean and fundamental half of basketball highlighted by 28 points in the paint and shooting 57% from the field.
Providence held on to that lead for most of the second half until UConn basketball went on a 13-0 run to get the lead back with 7 minutes left in the game. Despite a late push from the Friars, UConn never looked back and closed the game out to extend their winning streak to eight in a row.
In a true team effort, UConn basketball had seven different players score in double figures with Hassan Diarra leading at 19 points, 17 of those came in the second half. Tarris Reed Jr. also had a great second half with 10 points, 2 blocks, and a steal to help the Huskies come back from a 14-point deficit.
Takeaway #1: Hassan Diarra Ran the Show
Career-high 19 points for @hassan_diarra11 🔥 pic.twitter.com/CCZqD2KWyR
— UConn Men’s Basketball (@UConnMBB) January 5, 2025
Hassan Diarra, fifth year senior, showed his experience and pose in this contest as he stepped up when his team needed him. Diarra had perhaps one of his best performances as a Husky finishing with 19 points, 8 assists, and 3 steals.
UConn basketball’s offense had next to no life for a while, but Diarra was able to put his team in a position for success with 17 second half points and by continuously drawing contact at the rim. He ended up going 10 for 11 from the free throw line with some of those coming in the tight closing minutes of the game.
Hassan Diarra has held the starting point guard role for most of this season and today was a performance that resembles a true Husky guard. This team will need more performances like this one from their lead guard over the coming weeks as they battle through Big East play.
Takeaway #2: The Providence Backcourt is TOUGH
Jayden Pierre and Wesley Cardet combined for 42 points with plenty of those points coming from tough finishes at the rim. Playing without leading scorer Bryce Hopkins, the two guards knew they needed to have big days to give their team a chance and that they did.
The Friars have had a rough start to the season as they now hold a record of 7-8. While the pre-season expectations may have been higher, Pierre and Cardet’s performance today should build some confidence that the wins are coming, especially if Hopkins can return soon.
Takeaway #3: The McNeeley Bump
UConn basketball is on an eight game winning streak with Liam McNeeley being a key contributor to that run. Now without him for the next couple weeks, this is a vital stretch for the Huskies to find out who can step up and be a consistent contributor.
In our takeaways from UConn’s last win over Depaul, we highlighted Aidan Mahaney as someone who could elevate their game and earn some more minutes while McNeeley is out. Mahaney struggled to open the season, but has begun stacking up strong performances lately including 15 points on 4-5 FG in this contest.
With 7 players scoring in double figures against Providence, it feels more likely that it will be a sum of the parts that make up for Liam McNeeley’s nearly 14 points per game.
Next for UConn (12-3, 4-0): at Villanova (10-5, 3-1) – Jan. 8 at 6:30 p.m. EST
Next for Providence (7-8, 1-3): vs Butler (7-8, 0-4) – Jan. 8 at 8:30 p.m. EST
[…] up for the Huskies while they’re without Liam McNeeley. Hassan Diarra did it in the Huskies last game against Providence, but in this game though it seemed like the usual suspects couldn’t get it […]