HARTFORD — Rick Pitino was showered with a chorus of boos upon his pre-game introduction at the XL Center.
Dan Hurley had called for UConn fans to create a Phog Allen-type atmosphere inside the building for the reigning NCAA champion’s Big East home opener against St. John’s.
And the crowd of more than, 15,560, which included Jim Calhoun and Bill Murray, responded by creating a raucous atmosphere all night.
In the end, the No. 5 Huskies prevailed, 69-65, in a game that was nationally televised by FOX.
UConn improved to 11-2, 1-1 in the Big East, while St. John’s fell to 8-4, 1-1.
“We saved Christmas here tonight because a loss tonight would’ve been a lot of doom and gloom for a lot of people,” Hurley said.
Starting at center in the absence of the injured Donovan Clingan, former Patrick School big man Samson Johnson was terrific with 16 points. Rutgers transfer Cam Spencer added 15 and Tristen Newton 15.
Joel Soriano had 14 for St. John’s and Daniss Jenkins 13.
UConn shot 16-of-24 from the line and St. John’s 21-of-28.
“It’s a missed opportunity but we’re getting better,” Pitino said, adding that his team missed critical free throws. “I’m going to have a really good Christmas because of the improvement of the basketball team.”
UConn was coming off a 75-60 loss to Seton Hall on Wednesday that Hurley, the former Seton Hall point guard, had described as “humiliating” and “embarrassing.” And the Huskies are now without Clingan for about a month with a foot injury suffered in the Seton Hall game. Clingan wore a walking boot but enthusiastically supported his teammates by clapping and waving all game.
It was nip and tuck throughout the second half.
After Jordan Dingle and Glenn Taylor hit back-to-back 3′s to put St. John’s up 63-61, Steph Castle had a tip-in that tied it at 63.
Newton scored on a transition layup and Castle followed with another off a St. John’s turnover to make it 67-63.
A tough bucket in the paint by Soriano cut it to…
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