Tarris Reed Jr., Alex Karaban and Silas Demary Jr. scored 21 points each as No. 3 UConn held off No. 7 BYU 86-84 on Saturday night in Boston. Demary had a game-sealing steal late
For the Huskies (4-0), this was a gritty win over a quality opponent. They opened a challenging five-game stretch that includes four ranked opponents. Demary also filled the box score with seven assists, five rebounds and two steals.
BYU freshman forward AJ Dybantsa was playing near his Boston-area hometown and led the Cougars (3-1) with 25 points. Richie Saunders added 17 and Robert Wright III had 16 for the Cougars, who were without suspended starting point guard Kennard Davis Jr. Keba Keita was also ruled out midway through the first half with an injury.
UConn led 82-77 in the final minute before Dybantsa’s layup cut the margin to three. Demary answered with two free throws, but BYU pulled within 84-82 on a Dawson Baker 3-pointer. After Malachi Smith made one of two free throws, the Cougars had a chance to tie before Demary poked the ball away from Wright. Solo Ball added a free throw with 18 seconds left.
The Huskies finished with 21 assists on 30 field goals. BYU had seven assists on 29 baskets.
UConn hosts No. 5 Arizona on Wednesday. BYU hosts No. 24 Wisconsin on Nov. 24.
