HARTFORD, Conn. — Freshman B.J. Young’s 28 points led the Arkansas Razorbacks against the defending national champion Connecticut Huskies, but Arkansas eventually fell 75-62 inside the XL Center on Saturday.
Arkansas drops to 5-2 after its first road game of the year, while Connecticut, No. 10 in the coaches’ poll, improves to 7-1.
All 28 of Young’s points came on two separate scoring bursts — 11 straight points at the end of the first half, and 17 straight early in the second.
Razorback head coach Mike Anderson commented that he was pleased with the effort of his young team against the defending national champions.
“We competed,” Anderson said. “There are some positives that can be taken from this game. It was a good effort, but not good enough.”
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Facing its toughest competition of the season, Arkansas was ready from the tip. The Razorbacks started the game on an 8-1 run off of three-pointers by sophomores Madracus Wade and Rickey Scott and a jumper by freshman Devonta Abron.
UConn countered with its own rally, pushing the pace and taking a 33-19 lead with just less than 6 minutes to play. Just as the Huskies appeared ready to take a large lead, however, Young carried the offense to get Arkansas back within striking distance. He had 11 straight points for Arkansas over a three-minute span, including two threes, to help the Razorbacks cut the Huskies’ lead to 39-32 at the half.
UConn started the second half with a 5-0 run and a desire to put the Razorbacks away early, but Arkansas consistently showed the poise and toughness to come back. Once again it was Young who staved off the Connecticut run, hitting a layup with 16:39 to play to make the score 46-36, and scoring Arkansas’ next 15 points over a 6-minute span.
The Razorbacks trailed 66-57 with just more than 6 minutes to play, but were unable to cut UConn’s lead any more. The Huskies never led by more than 14 points, but did not trail in the second half.
“We couldn’t get the big stop,” Anderson said.
Against the toughest front line he had ever faced, Abron had the best game of his young career. Abron grabbed 16 rebounds including 12 on the offensive end, and also added eight points and two steals. Abron’s dominant effort inside helped Arkansas to a 27-4 edge on offensive rebounds in the game and a 47-35 rebounding edge overall.
“I’m proud of Devonta for pushing and banging in there,” Anderson said. “It was really showing the future of that young man.”
Abron’s physicality on the glass allowed Arkansas to compensate for a tough shooting night. The Razorbacks shot 31 percent from the floor compared to the 57 percent clip by Connecticut.
Young shot 10-for-20 from the floor to score his career high, and also had four rebounds. The freshman has scored in double figures in six straight games.
Wade had 11 points for the Razorbacks. Freshman Rashad Madden added four points, four rebounds and three assists.
The Huskies were led by Ryan Boatright’s 21-point effort. Freshman point guards Boatright and Young traded baskets throughout the game to lead their teams in scoring.
Arkansas has a full week before its next contest, a road matchup at Oklahoma Dec. 10 at 2 p.m.