Filed under: Connecticut, Big East
Kemba Walker scored a career-high and record-tying 42 points as Connecticut pulled away from Vermont en route to a 89-73 victory Wednesday.A junior leader on the young Huskies (2-0), Walker tied Cliff Robinson for the most points scored in a game in Hartford, Conn., at one of the school's two home courts. Robinson set the mark on Dec. 28, 1987.
On Wednesday, Walker shot 15-of-24 from the field, including four 3-pointers, and 8-of-10 from the line. He dropped in 21 points in each half on an array of drives, runners and mid-range jumpers. It tied the highest-scoring game by a player under coach Jim Calhoun, who is in his 24th season at UConn.
Walker, whose weakness has been an inconsistent shot, looked confident in hoisting from any angle. That's probably because he had to for the inexperienced Huskies, who have six freshman on their roster, five of whom figure to be part of the team's regular rotation.
The Huskies trailed by three points at halftime before reclaiming the lead on two free throws by Walker just under two minutes into the second half. It was an advantage they would not relinquish.
UConn, which is just two seasons removed from a Final Four appearance, landed in the NIT last March after a lackluster campaign. Departed seniors Jerome Dyson and Stanley Robinson did not fulfill their potential, while much-hyped import Ater Majok was non-existent before leaving the school prior to this season.
Calhoun, who also has dealt with a recent NCAA investigation, will bring his team to the Maui Invitational, where it will face Wichita State on Monday before possible matchups with Michigan State and Kentucky.
No comments:
Post a Comment