No. 4 UConn rolls past Wagner 83-41 but loses forward Nik Khamenia to injury

Storrs, Conn. (AP) — Silas Demary Jr. fueled a dominating fourth-ranked UConn team to an overwhelming 83-41 victory over Wagner on Monday night. Unfortunately, forward Nik Khamenia left the game early with a lower-body injury, scoring just 11 points in seven minutes before taking a seat. Jayden Ross contributed 12 points, Na jai Hines added 10 points and eight rebounds, while Braylon Mullins chipped in with 10 points for the Huskies (3-0).

AJ Rodriguez had 10 points for Wagner (0-3). Khamenia, UConn's fourth-leading scorer entering the game, appeared in pain when he returned to his feet with 10:04 left in the first half. A trainer then approached him, who pointed to his foot. Khamenia initially stayed in the game, but quickly exited for the locker room with UConn medical personnel, never returning to the court.

The Huskies took an early 14-0 lead after Kareem Watson's 3-pointer and Wagner's five turnovers in the opening minutes. Wagner only managed three field goals in the first 15 minutes and racked up 17 turnovers in the first half. Demary Jr. scored six points in a row as the Huskies extended their lead to a 44-18 margin at halftime.

UConn head coach Dan Hurley once led Wagner to a 38-23 record from 2010-12 before joining Rhode Island. This marks his ninth season at UConn. Wagner senior center Youssouf Singare, who played a role for the Huskies' 2023-24 national championship, contributed five points and three rebounds. Wagner will face Bryant & Stratton-Albany on Wednesday, while UConn hosts Ohio State at PeoplesBank Arena in Hartford on Friday.