CHAMP CENTRAL
HARTFORD, Conn. - Jalen Adams poured in 23 points and Rodney Purvis added 18 as UConn beat Houston 74-65 in the final quarterfinal of the Frontier Communications American Athletic Conference Men’s Basketball Championship.
The Huskies (16-16) took control in the first half with a 26-6 run on their way to a 35-26 halftime lead. In the second half, UConn had an answer every time Houston made a run. Both times Houston (21-10) cut the lead to four with under eight minutes left in the game, Adams hit threes to stem the tide.
Rob Gray led Houston with 25 points, Galen Robinson, Jr. added 17 and Damyean Dotson finished with 15 but the rest of the Cougars only scored eight points.
UConn had the advantage from the free-throw line making 18-of-22 free throws compared to 7-of-10 for the Cougars. Adams himself finished 9-for-10 from the free throw line for the Huskies.
The Huskies will meet the Cincinnati Bearcats in the second semifinal on Saturday with tip-off at 5 p.m. on ESPN2.