Huskies Fall to Dayton in Maui Invitational Finale
The No. 2 UConn men’s basketball team concluded its run at the 2024 Maui Invitational with an 85-67 loss to Dayton on Wednesday night at the Lahaina Civic Center.
Junior Alex Karaban led UConn with a game-high 21 points, marking his second 20-point performance of the season and the 10th of his career. He received support from Samson Johnson (12 points), Solo Ball (10 points), and Hassan Diarra (10 points) who all reached double figures.
Early Struggles and a Second-Half Surge
The Huskies opened the scoring with a 3-pointer from Ball, but Dayton swiftly responded with an 8-0 surge to secure the early advantage. A powerful slam from Reed Jr. halted the Flyers’ run, and the two teams settled into a period marked by staunch defense.
At the 9:38 mark of the first half, a corner 3-pointer extended Dayton’s lead to 19-12– the largest of the contest. Late in the first half, the pace intensified. Karaban ignited for the Huskies, connecting on three consecutive 3-pointers within a minute’s span. His third triple granted UConn a 30-27 advantage at the 4:23 mark of the first half. Dayton answered with a resounding 10-1 scoring burst before a 3-pointer from Jayden Ross halted their momentum. The Flyers concluded the opening stanza by converting their final six shots after a sluggish 6-of-20 start. They held a 41-34 lead at halftime.
UConn wasted little time rejoining the contest early in the second half. They commenced the period with a 9-2 run, evening the score at 43-all thanks to a 3-pointer from Diarra. However, Dayton responded with a mirroring 9-2 run of their own, pushing their lead to 52-45 and prompting a UConn timeout at the 12:44 mark.
The Flyers Secure the Win
With 7:24 remaining on the clock, a 3-pointer from Ball pulled the Huskies back within a single possession at 58-55. Dayton countered by extending their advantage at the free throw line, ultimately building their largest lead of the game at 69-57 with just 4:19 to play. Even with the lead reaching 22 points, UConn never relinquished their tenacious effort but couldn’t close the gap.
The Huskies finalized their participation in the Maui Invitational with a 4-3 Dizziness.
What are the strengths and weaknesses of UConn’s team based on their performance at the Maui Invitational?
## Interview: Huskies Reflect on Maui Invitational
**Host:** Joining us today is [Guest Name], basketball analyst and former UConn player, to discuss the Huskies’ performance at the Maui Invitational, culminating in a tough loss to Dayton. Welcome to the show!
**Guest:** Thanks for having me!
**Host:** [Guest Name], it was a disappointing finish for UConn, falling 85-67 to Dayton. What were your thoughts on the game?
**Guest:** You know, Dayton played a fantastic game. They came out aggressive, shot the ball well, and really controlled the tempo. UConn struggled to find their rhythm early on, and they were playing catch-up for most of the contest [1].
**Host:** Alex Karaban put up another impressive performance, leading the Huskies with 21 points. What did you see from him?
**Guest:** Karaban is proving to be a real go-to scorer for this team. He’s showing consistency and a willingness to step up in big moments. He needs to continue to develop his all-around game, but he’s certainly a player to watch this season [1].
**Host:** Despite the loss, there were some bright spots. Samson Johnson, Solo Ball, and Hassan Diarra all reached double figures. What does this tell you about the depth of this UConn squad?
**Guest:** It shows that UConn has some potential for different players to step up and contribute offensively. They lacked that last year, so it’s a positive sign for Coach Hurley. However, they still need to find a more consistent second scoring option alongside Karaban to be a truly elite team [1].
**Host:** Looking ahead, how do you think this loss will impact UConn moving forward?
**Guest:** This game exposed some vulnerabilities for UConn, especially their struggles with consistency and execution against a well-coached team like Dayton. But it’s a long season, and I expect UConn to learn from this experience and bounce back strong. The Maui Invitational is a tough tournament, and facing quality opponents like Dayton early in the season can be a valuable learning experience. [1]
**Host:** Wise words! Thanks for sharing your insights, [Guest Name].
**Guest:** My pleasure. Go Huskies!
[[[[[1](https://uconnhuskies.com/sports/womens-basketball/stats/2023-24/dayton/boxscore/23830)]
