New Hampshire
No. 3 UConn men’s basketball pulls away from New Hampshire with electric second half
It must be heartening for UConn fans to know that even when head coach Dan Hurley says the team played “below brand,” the Huskies can still win a game by almost 40 points.
The 92-53 final score doesn’t show it, but UConn had to scrap and claw its way to providing distance early from visiting New Hampshire on Saturday night in Hartford. It’s the second year in a row that the Wildcats were able to frustrate the Huskies, and for the second year in a row, UConn should come out better for it.
With the Huskies’ shooting taking that patented XL Center dip, they struggled to score in the first half. Credit to New Hampshire as well; the Wildcats’ on-ball defense was excellent, and they kept much better athletes in front of them.
UConn held serve defensively, showing the unity needed on the court to provide near flawless help. 1-on-1, Hurley was less pleased.
“That was clearly a below-standard performance for us in a number of ways, in particular on-ball defense,” Hurley told reporters after the game. “Offensively, I thought we were just scatterbrained, especially in the first half. It was typical of an early season performance.”
While the Huskies did enough to go to the locker room up 11, perhaps the team’s biggest flaw was also on display. Samson Johnson and Tarris Reed Jr. were responsible for the first four UConn fouls of the game, putting Hurley in a bind before the 10-minute mark. Jaylin Stewart, the de facto five in their absence, picked up the next two.
But the Huskies weathered it. More importantly, both UConn bigs were smarter and better in the second half. Johnson committed another late in the first, but didn’t foul again until 8:55 remaining in the game, ending the contest with four fouls, two points and one rebound. He now has nine fouls this season in 27 minutes played.
“I think he’s such a great guy and he wants to do well so badly that he’s pressing and he’s fighting for every inch and he’s playing with a level of desperation that’s admirable,” Hurley said. “But in playing with that level of desperation, he’s mauling people.”
Johnson’s subpar performance meant there was more pressure on Reed, and he posted an 11-and-8 stat line typical of his career so far.
The Huskies clung to a 10-point lead with 16:17 remaining in the game before UConn embarked on a 9-2 run, punctuated by a three from Jayden Ross.
Ross, who was a seldom-used freshman last year and had Hurley hyping him up in the preseason like he could be a lottery pick, delivered in his sophomore debut. After missing the season opener against Sacred Heart, Ross turned it on in the final 15 minutes, showing fans why Hurley said after the first game that he could have started.
“You saw the flurry,” Hurley said. “He’s a guy that I think is gonna be get a lot better.”
Ross shot 6-10 from the field (2-5 3PT) to finish with 14 points. He was also a team-best +34.
Also of note: Alex Karaban turned in his second straight All-American caliber performance. This time, it was 17 points, five rebounds, four assists, and four blocks. Filed under the “small sample size” category, it means Karaban is averaging 5.5 blocks per game, third-best in college basketball this season.
“Alex is playing the way a Big East Player of the Year is supposed to be playing,” Hurley added. “From a statistical standpoint, efficiency standpoint, but he’s also really leading. He’s been super vocal and doing everything we want him to do right now.”
Liam McNeeley turned in his second-straight double-double as well, posting 11 points and 10 rebounds in the second game of his career. He became the first Husky since Jeff Adrien in 2006 to open the season with consecutive double-doubles.
By the end of the game, the team-wide numbers didn’t look so bad either. They shot better than 50% from the field (32-63) and while 32% from three isn’t great, they were 7-15 in the second half.
The Huskies return to the court on Wednesday when they host Le Moyne, Division I’s best team that’s based in Syracuse, New York. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m. and it will air on FS1.
Have you heard of Holly Jolly Journey in Litchfield, New Hampshire?
It’s touted as “New England’s largest and most spectacular holiday light show,” and it’s just one more incredible event you should check out this Christmas season.
According to its website, Holly Jolly Journey has added a million lights for this recent season, meaning there are now over 3 million dazzling lights you can take in while walking through.
What Is Holly Jolly Journey in Litchfield, New Hampshire?
Located at Mel’s Funway Park in Litchfield, Holly Jolly Journey is a walk-through Christmas light event that spans over 2/3 of a mile and features some incredible displays all along the way.
Some of the spectacular things you can see include Santa’s Workshop, Candy Cane Lane, Twinkly Tunnel and Teddy’s Christmas Corner, among others.
The walk is truly mesmerizingly festive.
The Holly Jolly Journey website also notes some new stuff for the 2025/26 season, including additions to almost every scene along the walk, more trees lit, more food and drink stations, a new 28-foot centerpiece, and a new indoor party suite.
When is the Holly Jolly Journey in Litchfield, New Hampshire?
According to its website, the Holly Jolly Journey takes place from the day after Thanksgiving through January 11. It is closed on Christmas Eve.
There are multiple time slots to choose from, starting at 4:30 p.m. and with the last time slot of the day being at 10 p.m. (for those late-night holiday owls).
It should take about an hour to complete, but you can take as long as you’d like.
READ MORE: New Hampshire’s Dazzling 2-Mile Holiday Drive-Thru With 3 Million Lights Returns for 2025
Have you decided which holiday experience you should do this season? You certainly don’t have to limit yourself to one, and Holly Jolly Journey is one you might want to consider. With over 3 million lights and incredible displays on a festive walk perfect for the family, you’ll be soaking up the sparkle of Christmas in the best way possible.
You’ll also have so many Instagram-worthy pics with that glowing backdrop!
25 New Hampshire Towns That Would Be Perfect for a Christmas Movie
Gallery Credit: Kira
New England’s Top Christmas Towns Are Perfect for a Magical Winter Getaway
Gallery Credit: Megan
DOVER, New Hampshire (WGME) — A New Hampshire woman is facing charges after reportedly speeding more than 100 miles per hour during a police chase.
New Hampshire State Police say it happened Saturday night on Route 16 in Dover.
Troopers say they tried to pull over the driver, Stephanie Dupont, but she took off at high speed.
Troopers say they followed her to Exit 3, where she veered off the road.
After the crash, they say she jumped out of the car and tried to flee on foot.
An off-duty officer from Ogunquit happened to be near by and was able to stop her.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION (3)
Officials say Dupont suffered non-life-threatening injuries in the crash.
A superior court judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by a group of visually impaired New Hampshire voters who argued a newly passed absentee voter law violates the state constitution.
In a lawsuit filed this summer, the plaintiffs alleged the measure, which was backed by state Republicans, places a disproportionate burden on people with disabilities by making it harder to vote.
On Friday, New Hampshire Superior Court Judge David Ruoff dismissed the case, ruling that the new policies are reasonable.
The new law requires people requesting an absentee ballot to prove their identity in one of three ways: either mail in a photocopy of an ID, along with their ballot application; have their ballot application notarized; or show an ID at town hall prior to an election.
In his opinion, Ruoff said, “The identification requirements impose ordinary burdens on all absentee voters, and the possibility that it may cause additional burden on a subset of absentee voters does not render the entire statute unconstitutional.”
It isn’t clear if the plaintiffs will appeal the ruling to the New Hampshire Supreme Court.
“We appreciate the Court’s recognition that the identification requirements for absentee voters are reasonable, constitutional, and consistent with New Hampshire’s long-standing election practices,” said New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella, who defended the law in court.
New Hampshire residents who vote in person are already required to show an ID at the polls when requesting a ballot. Supporters of the new law say the same safeguards should be in place for those voters who request an absentee ballot.
‘Love being a pedo’: Metro Detroit doctor, attorney, therapist accused in web of child porn chats
This Week: E-Bikes, Happy Hour, Holiday Lights – Streetsblog San Francisco
81-year-old North Texas trailblazer to graduate from UNT Dallas
How to watch Miami (FL) at Texas A&M: CFP First Round TV channel and streaming options for December 20
Boston Police say homicides are up 30 percent as Mayor Wu sticks to ‘safest major city’ claim
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Video: ‘It Didn’t Have to Happen This Way:’ U.Va. Faculty Call for Review of Police Response to Protests
Video: Rob Reiner and His Wife Are Found Dead in Their Los Angeles Home
Biden officials go silent when asked about Afghan refugee program after guardsmen shooting
South Korea indicts ex-leader Yoon over power plot provoking North
BBC Verify: Videos show impact of mass drone attacks launched by Ukraine and Russia
Bill and Hillary Clinton’s Stance on Epstein Testimony Nov. 3
-
Alaska1 week agoHowling Mat-Su winds leave thousands without power
-
Texas1 week agoTexas Tech football vs BYU live updates, start time, TV channel for Big 12 title
-
Washington6 days agoLIVE UPDATES: Mudslide, road closures across Western Washington
-
Iowa1 week agoMatt Campbell reportedly bringing longtime Iowa State staffer to Penn State as 1st hire
-
Iowa2 days agoHow much snow did Iowa get? See Iowa’s latest snowfall totals
-
Miami, FL1 week agoUrban Meyer, Brady Quinn get in heated exchange during Alabama, Notre Dame, Miami CFP discussion
-
Cleveland, OH1 week agoMan shot, killed at downtown Cleveland nightclub: EMS
-
World1 week ago
Chiefs’ offensive line woes deepen as Wanya Morris exits with knee injury against Texans
