HARTFORD, CT — Connecticut withstood a competitive effort by East Carolina on Saturday afternoon for a 70-65 American Athletic Conference win.
The Pirates, who were 16.5-point underdogs, had a tying 3-point attempt from the left wing by B.J. Tyson with three seconds remaining.
Tyson led four ECU players into double figures with 21 points as he made nine of 18 field goal attempts despite going one for seven beyond the arc. The senior guard was two for two at the line and also had seven rebounds.
Kentrell Barkley had 13 points and seven rebounds before fouling out with 48 seconds left.
Isaac Fleming had not scored until hitting a 3-pointer with 1:24 to go that trimmed the Huskies’ lead to 65-60. Fleming finished with five points, six assists and six of ECU’s 21 turnovers.
The Huskies (8-7, 1-2) were led by 18 points from Jalen Adams. Terry Larrier and Christian Vital scored 16 points each.
UConn went ahead 16-4 before the Pirates came back to take leads of 28-27 and 31-30.
A jumper by Larrier put the hosts ahead 32-31 with 28 seconds left in the opening half and the Huskies stayed in front the rest of the way.
ECU finished 25 of 55 from the field for 45.5 percent. The Pirates were five of 20 from long distance, 25 percent.
ECU was 10 of 15 at the line for 66.7 percent.
UConn was 25 of 60 from the floor for 41.7 percent, going two of 16 on threes for 12.5 percent. The Huskies generated the winning margin on free throws, going 18 of 23 for 78.3 percent.
UConn had a 38-34 rebounding advantage and committed fewer turnovers (16).
The Pirates host new league member Wichita State on Thursday at 9 p.m.
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