Sabel's Haus

With .7 seconds left the game was tied at 69, and Lance Stephenson aka Born Ready was at the line after being fouled going to the basket. Stephenson drained both free throws to finish 7-7 from the stripe for the game. UConn's half-court attempt as time expired was off the mark and UC (9-3 overall, 1-0 Big East) knocked off the tenth ranked Huskies 71-69.

"All I was thinking is let me get to the free throw line and I'll knock 'em down," Stephenson said.

Stephenson made some shots tonight that were unreal. He was crossing UConn players over and hitting tough shots all night. He finished 7-18 from the field and missed his only attempted 3-ball. I asked UConn coach Jim Calhoun what he thought of Lance after the game. "He's a good player, talented kid," he said.

When I asked him to elaborate he said, "Talented kid, puts the ball on the floor, strong, nice body, competes. Obviously he stepped up big in a big-time spot. That's not an easy spot for any kid to stand up in."

Before the Stephenson free throws though UConn's Kemba Walker hit his only three of the game to tie it. Prior to hitting that shot with 10 seconds, UC held the lead the entire game.

Free throws came up huge for UC. Something that can't be said for most of the games they've played this season. UC was 14-19 from the stripe compared to UConn's 17-26.

Have to give it to the Huskies though. Jerome Dyson was 9-19 for UConn and finished with 24 points and seven boards. Stanley Robinson was 9-18 and 3-4 from distance to finish with 22 and seven.

Aside from Lance though, we learned that this team plays well if Deonta plays well. Vaughn scored 17 points on 6-11 shooting and 3-5 from range before fouling out with 1:30 remaining. He also had five assists and five boards. "He's gotta' always be in the game," Stephenson said of Vaughn. Lance said he was nervous at first when Deonta fouled out because he's the team leader.

Quick Stat: UConn did not block a shot tonight. It has been nine years since the last time that's happened.