Hamilton Takes Charge for Connecticut

After Connecticut erased a seven-point deficit in the second half against Boston College on Sunday, the Huskies turned things over to Richard Hamilton.

“We fought so hard to make up the deficit, and we didn’t want to give up the lead,” Hamilton said after scoring a career-high 38 points, including 10 in a row as the eighth-ranked Huskies pulled away for an 80-68 victory over the Eagles in a Big East Conference game at Boston.

“I just feel like I’ve got to go out and prove a point. I feel confident every game. Whatever I need to do for my team to win, I feel like I’ve got to go out and do it.”

Hamilton made four of six three-point shots and had seven rebounds for Connecticut, which improved to 14-2 overall and 4-1 in the Big East. Kevin Freeman had 18 points and nine rebounds as the Huskies bounced back from a loss to Miami with their 19th consecutive victory over Boston College (8-8, 1-5).

The last time the Eagles defeated the Huskies was Feb. 23, 1988.

Duane Woodward had 21 points and eight rebounds and Antonio Granger had 20 points as the Eagles lost their fourth consecutive game. They shot 59% and opened a 12-point lead in the first half, but had only two offensive rebounds and were outrebounded overall, 31-18.

“We definitely wore down,” said first-year Coach Al Skinner. “We’re putting forth the effort, but if we’re going to go this far, let’s try to win these things.”

Hamilton’s play was what ended Boston College’s hopes, Connecticut’s Monquencio Hardnett said.

“We don’t like to put a lot of pressure on him. But when he’s going like that, I think we’ve got to find a way to get him the ball,” Hardnett said. “When he’s on, I don’t think there’s anyone in the country who can stop him.”

Cincinnati 68, No. 20 Marquette 51--D’Juan Baker scored 19 points as the Bearcats held the Golden Eagles to four field goals in the first half at Cincinnati.

Kenyon Martin had 17 points and 10 rebounds for Cincinnati (11-2, 3-0 in Conference USA), which has won seven in a row since its loss to cross-town rival Xavier on December 13th.

Jarrod Lovette had 11 points and Aaron Hutchins, who was averaging 18.2 points, was held to nine, for Marquette (10-2, 1-2).

“I can’t tell you how much film we watched on him [Hutchins], but it was a lot,” said Cincinnati’s Shawn Myrick. “The man’s good. He’s quick. There was a lot of talk about him, but . . . we didn’t let him touch the ball. If he doesn’t touch it, they don’t win.”

Marquette, which never led, has won only eight of 24 games in the all-time series.

OTHER GAMES

Arizona State appeared headed for its sixth consecutive loss to Washington State until Jeremy Veal (26 points, seven rebounds) and Eddie House (game-winning three-point shot) helped the Sun Devils erase a five-point deficit in the final 34 seconds of an 86-85 victory at Pullman, Wash. The Sun Devils (12-5, 2-2 in the Pacific 10 Conference) ended a 13-game losing streak on the road in conference play. Washington State, led by Carlos Daniel’s 28 points and 14 rebounds, fell to 7-7, 0-3. . . . Freshman guard Lynn Greer came off the bench to score a season-high 19 points, leading Temple (8-4, 1-1) to a 64-43 victory over St. Bonaventure (10-5, 1-2) in an Atlantic 10 game at Philadelphia. . . . Pat Garrity scored 32 points, making all 10 of his free throws, to lead Notre Dame (8-5, 2-3) to a 91-76 Big East victory over Rutgers (7-6, 1-4) at South Bend, Ind. . . . Tyronn Lue had 17 of his 30 points in the first half and every Nebraska starter scored in double figures as the Cornhuskers (11-5, 2-1 in the Big 12) defeated Colorado, 87-72. It was the third time this season and the sixth time in his career that Lue, a junior point guard, broke the 30-point barrier. Colorado fell to 6-7, 0-3.