The game was a tale of two halves, with UConn controlling the pace and tempo in the first half and Baylor rallying back in the second. The Huskies jumped out to an early lead thanks to some hot shooting from beyond the arc, but the Bears chipped away at the deficit and eventually took a one-point lead with just over seven minutes remaining in the game.

UConn’s defense clamped down in the final minutes, forcing Baylor into tough shots and contesting every rebound. The Huskies also hit some clutch free throws down the stretch to seal the victory.

Baylor’s impressive second-half performance was sparked by George, who scored 16 of his team-high 19 points after the break. The Bears also got a boost from Jalen Bridges, who finished with 18 points.

The victory over Baylor is a major statement for UConn, which improved to 10-3 on the season. It’s the Huskies’ first win over a ranked opponent this season and a sign that they could be a force to be reckoned with in the Big East.

“It was a great team win,” said Sanogo. “We stuck together and made some big plays when we needed them.”

“We knew they were going to make a run, but we stayed calm and played our game,” added Hawkins.

UConn head coach Dan Hurley praised his team’s effort and execution. “I’m proud of the way our guys competed tonight,” he said. “We knew it would be a tough game, but we never gave up.”

UConn will now turn its attention to Saturday’s game against Creighton at the XL Center. Baylor, meanwhile, will host No. 10 Arkansas on Friday night.

UConn’s victory over Baylor is a testament to the team’s progress and potential. The Huskies have shown that they can compete with the best teams in the country, and they will be a threat to win the Big East title this season.