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UConn survives test from South Florida

Dec 29, 2011 - 5:06 AM Tampa, FL (Sports Network) - Jeremy Lamb scored a game-high 23 points and No. 9 Connecticut held off South Florida, 60-57, in the Big East opener for both teams.

Ryan Boatright added nine points and Alex Oriakhi and Tyler Olander scored six apiece for the Huskies (11-1, 1-0 Big East). UConn was without head coach Jim Calhoun, who was serving the first of a three-game suspension for NCAA recruiting violations.

Toarlyn Fitzpatrick led the Bulldogs (7-7,0-1) with 14 points and Augustus Gilchrist chipped in with 12 points. Jawanza Poland added nine points.

UConn lead by eight with just eight seconds remaining when Shaun Noriega was fouled by Lamb while attempting a three. Noriega knocked down all three free throws and USF quickly fouled Lamb. Lamb made just one of the two free throws before USF's Victor Rubb knocked down a three with two seconds left. However, the Huskies were able to dribble out the final ticks to secure its first conference win.

The Bulldogs took an early 12-4 lead in the first half before the Huskies pulled within two with 11 minutes left in the half. UConn was able to tie the game at 19-19 four minutes later as the teams traded baskets the rest of the way, as the Huskies went into the break up 30-28.

Both teams went scoreless over the first three minutes of the second half before UConn's DeAndre Daniels was able to tip in a Shabazz Napier miss to break the scoreless drought.

UConn was able to extend its lead to six at the 9:42 mark when Boatright grabbed a rebound off his own miss and laid it in. USF pulled within one at 44-43 after Ron Anderson Jr., knocked down a pair of free throws. The Huskies answered with a highlight-reel slam when Napier found Andre Drummond, who slammed the ball home.

The Huskies went on to outscore the Bulldogs 9-6 over the next 4:32 before USF was able to put together one last effort to tie the game.

Game Notes

UConn made just 3-of-12 from beyond the arc...UConn leads the all-time series 9-1...USF lost a home game for the first time in 2011.