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Huskies Run Wild in New Year’s Eve Rout of Xavier
By
XU Wire,
12/31/2025
The No. 4 UConn Huskies closed out the calendar year with a statement, delivering a wire-to-wire 90-67 dismantling of Xavier at the Cintas Center on Wednesday evening. In a performance that showcased their offensive depth and defensive intensity, the Huskies improved to 13-1 overall and remained perfect in Big East play at 3-0. Meanwhile, the Musketeers fell to 9-5 on the season and 1-2 in conference action after struggling to contain UConn’s high-octane attack.
The contest was effectively decided in a lopsided first half where UConn’s defense completely neutralized Xavier’s perimeter threat. The Huskies erupted for a 17-2 run midway through the period, stretching an early lead into a massive 30-6 advantage by the under-10-minute mark. Tarris Reed Jr. was instrumental during this stretch, scoring eight consecutive points, including two separate three-point plays off dunks.
By halftime, UConn held a 43-28 lead, while the Musketeers were left searching for answers after an 0-of-10 start from three-point range.
Alex Karaban anchored the UConn offense, leading all scorers with 19 points while adding seven rebounds and four assists. Karaban’s night was also historic, as his three triples moved him past Chris Smith for fifth all-time in UConn history for career three-pointers made.
Alongside him, freshman Braylon Mullins delivered a career performance in front of dozens of friends and family, tying his personal best with 17 points and setting a new career high with five three-pointers.
Xavier showed signs of life early in the second half, mounting a mini-rally to cut the deficit to 53-40 following a layup by Roddie Anderson III. However, any hopes of a comeback were swiftly extinguished by a 13-2 UConn response.
Solo Ball, returning from a wrist injury, sparked the run with a three-pointer and capped it with a coast-to-coast layup and a free throw to push the lead back to 66-42. Ball finished the night with 17 points, matching Mullins as the second-highest scorer for the Huskies.
The Musketeers’ offensive efforts were led by Malik Messina-Moore, who finished with 16 points, and Filip Borovicanin, who recorded a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
Despite these individual efforts, Xavier was overwhelmed on the boards, as UConn dominated the rebounding battle 42-26. The Huskies’ ball movement was equally clinical, dishing out 26 assists on 33 made field goals, led by Silas Demary Jr.’s game-high seven helpers.
As the final whistle blew, the Huskies celebrated a New Year's Eve victory that underscored their status as a national title contender. UConn finished the game shooting a blistering 53.2% from the field and a season-high 13-of-28 from beyond the arc.
Next up for Xavier is a BIG EAST road matchup in Chicago against DePaul on Saturday, January 3. Game time is set for 2:00 p.m.
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