The UConn men’s basketball team won against the Furman Paladins 82-71 on Friday night in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
Tarris Reed Jr. finished with 31 points and 27 rebounds, a stat line not seen at the NCAA Tournament in 60 years.
Reed made 12 of 15 shots with 11 offensive rebounds and 16 defensive.
The Huskies rebounded 44-32 in the second half, as Alex Karaban scored 22 points.
Tom House scored 21 points, cutting the lead to 56-50, for the Paladins.
Alex Wilkins hit a three to make it 69-64 and the Paladins, 22-13, stayed within five with 5:49 left.
Furman shot 48% overall from the floor in the half and had some big help in making this one a game from UConn’s dreadful 1-of-14 shooting from 3-point range.
Reed dominated shooting five for 25 on three-pointers.
UConn advances to face the UCLA Bruins men’s basketball in the second round Sunday.
AP wire services contributed to this report.