By Marisol Nicholson

01.10.24

BOX SCORE

https://goxavier.com/sports/mens-basketball/stats/2023-24/uconn/boxscore/12195

SEASON STATS

https://goxavier.com/documents/2024/1/11/2023-24_MBB_Season_Stats_-_0110.pdf

Abou Ousmane scored nine points and grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds vs the Huskies

CINCINNATI – Xavier men’s basketball dropped an 80-75 BIG EAST matchup vs No. 4 UConn on Wednesday night at Cintas Center.

The Musketeers moved to 7-8 (1-3 BIG EAST), while the Huskies improved to 14-2 (4-1 BIG EAST).

The game featured two ties and two lead changes. Xavier took its lone lead of the game, 52-51, on a Trey Green three pointer with 15:41 left in regulation.

UConn responded by outscoring the Musketeers, 25-10, over the next 11 minutes and 17 seconds to take a 14-point advantage (76-62). Xavier battled back to close within three points (78-75) on a Quincy Olivari jumper with 15 seconds left on the clock. Tristen Newton sank two free throws for the Huskies with two seconds left in regulation, sealing the five-point victory.

• Quincy Olivari scored a game-high 24 points on 6-for-15 shooting, his sixth 20-point performance of the season. He was also 2-for-5 from three-point range and 10-for-12 from the charity stripe. The guard added two steals and two assists.
• Desmond Claude added 15 points, six rebounds and a team-high five assists. The guard added two 3-pointers. He now has 14 double-figure scoring games this season.
• Gytis Nemeikša rounded out the double-figure scorers with 10 points on 4-for-5 shooting. The forward added five rebounds and two assists.
• Abou Ousmane posted nine points on 4-for-9 shooting to go along with a game-high 11 rebounds. The forward added a game-high two blocks. He matched his season high in rebounds and now has three double-figure rebounding games this season.
• Dayvion McKnight finished with eight points, four assists and one steal.
• Xavier was limited to a .359 field-goal percentage (23-for-64) and went 7-for-21 from behind the arc. The Musketeers were also 22-for-27 from the foul line.
• Xavier won the battle on the glass, 42-30, and scored six more second-chance points (15-9). UConn held a 14-8 advantage in points off of turnovers and scored 11 more fastbreak points (27-16). The Huskies also scored four more bench points (13-9) than Xavier.

• Xavier travels to Providence on Saturday, Jan. 13. Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m. ET from Amica Mutual Pavilion with the game being aired nationally on FS1.

COURTESY XAVIER ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS