UConn forces 28 turnovers in 64-40 win over Maine

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Freshman James Bouknight, playing his first home game, scored 15 points and UConn pulled away in the second half to beat Maine 64-40 on Sunday

Alterique Gilbert added 13 points and Tyler Polley had 12 for the Huskies (5-2), who were playing in Connecticut for the first time in two weeks.

Andrew Fleming led all scorers with 16 points for Maine (2-5), which shot just 35% from the floor and made just six baskets in the second half.

UConn led by seven points at halftime, but forced 10 turnovers during 17-2 run that turned a 35-30 lead into a 52-32 advantage with 11½ minutes to play.

Maine was playing without point guard El Darwich, who rolled his ankle on Friday in a loss to Virginia.

The Huskies scored 28 points off 28 Maine turnovers, while Maine could manage just six points off UConn’s eight giveaways.

It was the first chance for UConn fans to get a look at Booknight, who was suspended for the Huskies’ first three games this season. The freshman showed off his athleticism, bringing the crowd to its feet late in the game when he followed up his own missed jumper in the lane with a dunk.

Gilbert hit consecutive 3-points to give UConn an early 11-2 lead over the Black Bears,

But Maine, which was held to 26 in a loss to Virginia on Friday, scored 10 of the next 12 and held UConn scoreless for more than 6½ minutes to stay in the game.

A layup by Maine’s Nedeljko Prijovic sent the teams into halftime with UConn up 31-24.

BIG PICTURE

Maine: The Black Bears have not beaten the Huskies since a 79-73 win in Orono on Feb. 15, 1978. They have now lost 14 straight the Huskies and fall to 16-85 in the series.

UConn: Nine players scored for the Huskies, who were without swingman Sid Wilson. The 6-foot-7 sophomore suffered a knee injury in UConn’s 80-55 rout of Miami last week. He had been averaging 4.5 points and 2.3 rebounds this season.

UP NEXT

Maine: The Black Bears head to Boston on Wednesday for a game at Northeastern

UConn: The Huskies head back to campus on Wednesday to host Iona