R.J. Cole scored 15 points and Andre Jackson grabbed 11 rebounds to lead No. 15 UConn to a 74-64 victory over St. Bonaventure on Saturday night in the Never Forget Tribute Classic in Newark, N.J.
The Huskies (9-2) won for the fourth time in their past five games and snapped a three-game winning streak for the Bonnies (8-2).
Cole was one of four UConn players who scored in double figures as Tyler Polley finished with 13 points, Akok Akok had 12 points and five rebounds and Jordan Hawkins finished with 11 points.
St. Bonaventure also had four players score in double figures, led by Jaren Holmes’ game-high 19 points on 6-of-14 shooting. Holmes also had eight rebounds and five assists. Jalen Adaway recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
The game had eight lead changes and remained close until UConn went on a 18-2 run to take a 54-41 lead with 9:24 left in the second half, keyed by Hawkins’ eight points, including two triples during the stretch.
The Bonnies would narrow the gap to five with 3:52 to go on a layup by Osun Osunniyi and then again with 1:57 left on another Osunniyi score. Osunniyi finished with 10 points and five rebounds.
Jalen Gaffney stretched UConn’s lead back to eight when he drew contact on a fadeaway jumper and followed with a free throw with 1:30 left. Gaffney and Jackson each had nine points.
Polley then swished a three-pointer with 45 seconds left to put the game out of reach.
Dominick Welch totaled 15 points and seven rebounds for St. Bonaventure, but fouled out with 35 seconds left.
The Bonnies, who shot 9 for 12 on 3-pointers in their most recent win over Loyola Maryland, struggled from the perimeter, shooting 5 for 14 from 3-point range.
St. Bonaventure committed only 11 turnovers, but UConn capitalized on the mistakes, scoring 14 points including 10 fast-break points.
UConn’s depth was evident as well as its bench finished with a 22-2 scoring advantage.
–Field Level Media