Dan Hurley celebrated a significant career milestone on Saturday, marking his 300th victory as a head coach. The UConn basketball program honored his achievement, highlighting his impactful leadership and dedication to the team.
In an intense Hall of Fame Series matchup at Madison Square Garden, the No. 18 Huskies defeated the No. 8 Gonzaga Bulldogs with a score of 77-71. Liam McNeeley led his team with an impressive 26 points, helping the Huskies improve their record to 8-3. This victory also marked a significant milestone for Hurley, as it was his 300th career win.
UConn started strong, building a 13-2 lead early in the game. They maintained their advantage, heading into halftime with a 43-40 lead. Gonzaga, however, fought back, tying the game at 55 with consecutive three-pointers from Khalif Battle and Ryan Nembhard. The Huskies quickly responded by scoring the next ten points, showcasing their resilience and ability to capitalize on critical moments.
Despite Gonzaga’s efforts, which included a late surge to close the gap to 73-70, they struggled in the final minutes. The Huskies’ defense held firm, and crucial plays, including a timely layup from Alex Karaban as the shot clock expired, helped secure the win. Gonzaga’s shooting woes continued, as they finished the second half with a disappointing 35.5% from the field.
The Bulldogs were led by Khalif Battle with 21 points, while Nembhard and Michael Ajayi contributed 16 and 14 points, respectively. This loss dropped Gonzaga to 7-3 and marked their second consecutive defeat. Historically, they now hold a 2-6 record against UConn.
College Basketball Coach Dan Hurley Reaches 300 Wins in Career Milestone
The Huskies’ win against Gonzaga also meant Hurley got the 300th win of his career as a college basketball head coach. This can be seen in a tweet posted by Fox College Hoops on X.
3⃣0⃣0⃣@dhurley15 earns his 300th career win as a collegiate head coach 👏 pic.twitter.com/S0wfjEJahU
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) December 15, 2024
Hurley celebrated a monumental milestone on Saturday night, securing his 300th career victory against Gonzaga at Madison Square Garden. The Huskies surged to an early 13-2 lead, ultimately winning 77-71, thanks to McNeeley’s standout performance.
Hurley’s achievement was made even more special with his father in attendance, and the coaching staff hailed him as the best coach in the sport. This victory positions UConn as a strong contender heading into Big East play, fueling hopes for another national title run.
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