Yale had a Montague, but UConn had no Capulet to defend. And as such, Yale defeated UConn, 45-44, at Gampel Pavilion, in a stunner to most of the 9,538 in attendance.
Jack Montague hit a three-pointer from the left corner with 1.7 remaining on the clock to give Yale the win. Montague was 50-95 in threes entering the game but had not made one against the Huskies. The Elis were only 3-for-21 from three for the game.
If there was any doubt about how good, tough and athletic Yale is, it was answered by the middle of the first half, when the Elis held a 22-9 lead over the defending national champions.
The game was won on the offensive glass, where Yale held a staggering 13-1 advantage. Last year, Yale outrebounded UConn, 43-31, in a 80-62 loss to the Huskies.
Yale again outrebounded taller UConn, 36-25, for the game. Junior forward Justin Sears added 15 rebounds and 12 points.
The Elis led 24-19 at the half, but UConn came out in the second half and started feeding the post, Amida Brimah who finished with 14. Yale adjusted after a timeout by coach James Jones and Brimah did not score down the stretch.
Senior guard Javier Duren led Yale with 15 points.
UConn All-American Ryan Boatright, perhaps hampered by injury, was held to six points.
UConn had beaten Yale 13 consecutive times, dating back to 1986, when the Elis beat UConn in overtime at Payne Whitney Gym in Huskies coach Jim Calhoun’s first season.
Jones accurately called it “a signature win.”
Thanks for your outstanding article Your words drew a picture of a huge game for the Yale program, which made me feel like I was sitting at Gampel watching the final shot “tickle the twine”. Keep up the good work .