UConn Bounces Back Behind Braylon Mullins’ Homecoming Heroics and a Lock-In Second Half
INDIANAPOLIS - Losses don’t come often for this UConn team, but when they do, they hit hard. Just ask Braylon Mullins.
The freshman guard, who’s already making a name for himself in Storrs, felt the weight of last week’s loss to St. John’s more than most.
It was only the second time he’d tasted defeat as a Husky - and the first time he was on the floor for it.
“It’s been as hard as it’s been for me,” Mullins said after helping power UConn to an 80-70 bounce-back win over Butler. “I didn’t play in the Arizona game, so this one really hit different. Seeing how Coach Hurley responded - I don’t want to feel that again.”
Safe to say, Mullins channeled that frustration into fuel. Back in his home state, just a half-hour from where he grew up in Greenfield, Indiana, the freshman looked right at home inside Hinkle Fieldhouse. He dropped 15 points and grabbed five boards in front of a supportive crowd that gave him a warm ovation during introductions - nerves and all.
And the Huskies needed every bit of it.
A Sluggish Start, Then a Statement
Coming off the emotional letdown at Madison Square Garden, Dan Hurley made it clear: turnovers, missed free throws, and soft interior defense weren’t going to cut it. He wanted his team to feel the loss - to use it as a wake-up call.
But early on against Butler, the response looked shaky. UConn was strong on the boards and started 3-of-4 at the line, but the turnovers were back - three before the first media timeout - and Butler came out hot, shooting over 60% from the floor for most of the first half.
Hurley credited Butler’s offensive execution more than any hangover from the St. John’s loss, saying, “I thought Butler just took it to us. The stuff they do on offense - it’s tough to guard.”
Still, UConn weathered the storm. Mullins scored 13 of his 15 in the first half, helping the Huskies stay in front despite Butler’s early shooting surge.
Solo Ball Stays Hot, Demary Jr. Steadies the Ship
Butler’s backcourt, already thinned by season-ending injuries, couldn’t keep up with UConn’s perimeter firepower. Solo Ball followed up his career-high 26-point performance in Hartford with another standout showing - 24 points on 6-of-12 from deep, his best three-point shooting night of the season.
And while the Huskies were shaky with the ball early, they locked in after halftime. Only one turnover in the second half - and that was thanks in large part to point guard Silas Demary Jr., who was in full command. He finished with 10 assists and just two giveaways, orchestrating an offense that shot 50.8% from the field.
Defensively, UConn clamped down after the break, holding Butler to just 39.3% shooting in the second half. The Huskies also won the battle on the glass, 33-26, and outscored the Bulldogs 16-8 in second-chance points. They were nearly automatic at the line, going 7-of-9.
Butler made it interesting with a push that cut the lead to two with seven minutes left, but UConn responded like a team that’s been there before - rattling off a 10-0 run to seize control and never looking back.
“That’s part of the growing process for us,” said Alex Karaban, who had six points (3-for-6 shooting) and five rebounds in a tightly guarded effort. “To be able to go score, get a stop, score again - especially in crunch time - that’s big.
I’m just happy we bounced back. Hinkle’s always a tough place to play.”
Karaban Ties Program Win Record, Johnson Watches On
There was a familiar face behind the UConn bench Wednesday night - Samson Johnson, now with the G League’s Noblesville Boom, made time to support his former squad despite a road game in Canada the night before. The two-time national champion and former starting center left UConn as the program’s all-time wins leader with 115.
That number didn’t stand alone for long.
Karaban matched it with Wednesday’s win, improving to 115-24 in his career. He also tied Jake Voskuhl’s program record for most career starts with 135 - a testament to his consistency and durability over the years.
Reed Settles In, Flirts with Triple-Double
Tarris Reed Jr. didn’t come out of the gate firing. Butler’s plan was clear: double him fast and often in the post. It worked early - he coughed up two turnovers in the first three minutes - but once he settled in, Reed started picking the Bulldogs apart.
He finished with 16 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists - just three dimes shy of a triple-double - and didn’t commit a single turnover after that rocky start.
“For us, ball security is everything,” Hurley said. “We’ve got offensive weapons, we’ve got shooting, we’ve got a point guard who can create, and centers who can finish.
But the turnovers have been a major problem. Today, I thought Tarris just stayed solid, waited for the double teams, and made good reads.”
Next Up: Keep Building
For UConn, this was more than just a win - it was a response. A sign that this group can take a punch, regroup, and find another gear. Mullins called it “the startup of something new,” and if the Huskies can bottle this second-half energy, they’ll be a tough out for anyone down the stretch.
One thing’s for sure: they don’t want to feel that St. John’s loss again - and they played like it.