Napier, UConn down Quinnipiac in 2-OT

Published November 20, 2014

When UConn had to have Shabazz Napier, he was there.

Napier netted 25 of his 29 points in the second half and overtime, including the game-tying layup to send the game into extra time, in No. 23 Connecticut's 89-83 double-overtime win over Quinnipiac in the semifinals of the Paradise Jam.

Napier was limited to four points on just 1-of-10 shooting in the first half for UConn (4-0), which will play New Mexico in the championship game on Monday.

Dave Johnson tallied 16 points to lead the Bobcats (2-2), who will face George Mason in the third-place game.

Garvey Young's 3-pointer gave Quinnipiac a 55-45 advantage with 5:03 to play in the second half, but Napier and the Huskies outscored the Bobcats, 15-5, the rest of the way in regulation to force an extra session.

Ryan Boatright's three-point play and Napier's driving layup pulled the Huskies within five before a pair of Johnson free throws and floater, sandwiched around another Napier layup, made it 59-52 in favor of Quinnipiac with 2:09 left.

Napier then hit a triple and another driving layup before Johnson hit two more free throws, which made it a 61-57 game.

Boatright made two from the line and after Ike Azotam's leaner didn't fall, another Napier layup with three ticks on the clock knotted the contest.

The Huskies had a 75-71 margin in the first overtime after Napier made a pair from the stripe, but Young answered with a triple before Napier knocked down two more free throws for a three-point lead with 12 seconds to go.

Johnson, though, drained a deep triple from the right wing with eight ticks on the clock to send the contest to another extra session.

UConn finally seized control in the second overtime with a 9-3 swing that gave it an 86-80 lead.

Ousmane Drame's dunk with 1:29 left made it a one-possession game, but Napier hit two more foul shots and Johnson's missed leaner essentially sealed the outcome.

Earlier, the Huskies shot just 23.1 percent (6-of-26) over the first 20 minutes and the game was tied heading into the break, 26-26.

Game Notes

Napier and Boatright combined to go 1-of-16 in the opening half ... Quinnipiac outrebounded the Huskies, 40-28 ... The Bobcats committed 17 turnovers compared to just nine for UConn.

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/sports/napier-uconn-down-quinnipiac-in-2-ot