National Basketball Association
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Connecticut 61, Washington 53
When: 7:30 PM ET, Saturday, December 29, 2012
Where: XL Center, Hartford, Connecticut
Officials: # Brian O'Connell, # Mike Roberts, # Michael Stephens
Attendance: 12720


Connecticut 61, Washington 53: Shabazz Napier shook off a career-high-tying seven turnovers and finished with 13 points and eight rebounds, powering host Connecticut to their fourth victory in as many tries over Washington.

Omar Calhoun poured in a team-high 14 points while Ryan Boatright added 12 for Connecticut (10-2), which improved to 4-0 in the XL Center this season and 229-83 all-time at the venue.

Scott Suggs scored a game-high 15 points for Washington (8-5).

Washington took its last lead of the game at 24-23 on a 3-pointer by Suggs with 5:17 left before the break. Connecticut suffered through a field goal drought that lasted the final 9:42 of the first half, but hit 10 straight free throws to offset the cold stretch and take a 31-26 halftime advantage.

Boatright ended the dry spell with a layup on the first possession of the second half, sparking a 7-0 run that stretched the margin to 38-26. Suggs began to warm up as he scored 10 of his team’s next 18 points to move Washington to within 48-44, but Napier and Boatright each connected on jumpers to help Connecticut re-establish a 12-point lead with 2:23 remaining.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Connecticut first-year coach Kevin Ollie was handed a five-year extension earlier in the day to stay with his alma mater. … Washington set a season low in field goal percentage for the second straight game, connecting on 29.7 percent of its attempts to fall to 2-13 in the Eastern Time zone since 2003. … The team combined for 17 offensive rebounds (Washington 13), but scored only seven second-chance points.

Top Game Performances
 
Washington   Connecticut
Scott Suggs 15 Scoring Omar Calhoun 14
Scott Suggs 4 Assists Shabazz Napier 4
Desmond Simmons 10 Rebounds Enosch Wolf 9
Andrew Andrews 5 Free Throws Made Shabazz Napier 6
Desmond Simmons 3 Steals Shabazz Napier 3
Shawn Kemp Jr. 1 Blocks Enosch Wolf 2
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Washington 53 29.7 4-17 11-16 10 34 3 8 13
Connecticut 61 46.8 2-14 15-25 13 31 4 6 17