No. 25 UConn gets a much-needed rebound win over No. 15 Baylor

It may not have been the most spectacular victory ever, but the 25th-ranked UConn Huskies finally got a win after a difficult start to the 2024-25 season.

UConn held off No. 15 Baylor (5-3) 76-72 to improve to 6-3. UConn was led by freshman Liam McNeeley (17 points, eight rebounds). Senior Samson Johnson (13 points, four rebounds) was a perfect 4-for-4 from the field, while sophomore guard Solo Ball had 11 points.

Despite falling behind 19-8 with 12:16 left in the first half, the Huskies battled back to give Baylor a 37-36 lead at halftime.

In a game that featured 44 fouls, UConn shared the ball efficiently with 14 assists on 21 shots made. While Baylor shot 49.1% from the field, they only managed 72 points, which is a step in the right direction for a UConn team that has allowed just 80 or more points in two of its three losses at the Maui Invitational.

Freshman Robert Wright III contributed 22 points for the Bears. Junior guard Langston Love (16 points) and senior Norchad Omier (14 points, seven rebounds) also had productive nights.

Wednesday night was Baylor’s fifth game against an AP-ranked opponent in eight games this season. The Bears dropped their opener 101-63 to No. 6 Gonzaga (7-1) and lost to No. 11 Tennessee (8-0) 77-62 before suffering their third loss of the season to the Huskies. Baylor defeated No. 16 Arkansas (6-2), 72-67, and No. 22 St. John’s (6-2), 99-98.

While Baylor isn’t scheduled to face another ranked opponent until No. 6 Iowa State (5-1) on Jan. 4, their difficult early-season schedule should prepare them well for a grueling Big 12 lineup later this season.

For UConn, the win was a step in the right direction for head coach Dan Hurley’s group. After losing just three times last season en route to their second straight title, the Huskies struggled mightily in Maui.

According to the FS1 broadcast, this was the first time since at least 1950-51 that UConn lost three days in a row. The Huskies’ three losses also came against unranked opponents, marking the first time since February 2019 that UConn lost three straight to unranked teams.

Although UConn’s schedule doesn’t get any easier with a visit to Austin to face the Texas Longhorns (6-1) on Sunday and a showdown with No. 7 Gonzaga (7-1) at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 14, Wednesday night was a huge boost for the Powerhouse program.