Attempting to enter the New Year with a perfect record, the No. 2 UConn men’s basketball team (14-1) dropped its first game of the season to No. 22 Xavier in a hostile road environment at the Cintas Center in Cincinnati.
Facing a two-point deficit with 2:25 remaining in the game, UConn guard Tristen Newton fouled Zach Freemantle. After the star forward made his first free throw, UConn coach Dan Hurley was whistled for an unfavorably-timed technical foul as he continued to argue the call. A four-point swing with Boum hitting both technical free throws gave Xavier a six-point lead and left the Huskies scrambling.
UConn’s shooting struggles persisted as the Huskies tossed-up six 3-pointers in the final 90 seconds and missed all.
