Everything Tarris Reed Jr., Dan Hurley Said About Star's Historic Box Score as UConn Avoids Upset

Connecticut got more of a test than it may have anticipated in the first round of the NCAA tournament from Furman, but Tarris Reed Jr. saved the Huskies with a historic stat line in the 82-71 win.

After putting up 31 points on 12-of-15 shooting and 27 rebounds in 35 minutes, Reed told reporters he thought there was more he could have gotten.

"I feel like I let my foot off the gas a little bit in the second half," he said.

Furman Paladins-UConn Huskies Highlights

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Reed did note that he felt coming into the game that he would be able to put up big numbers:

"I feel like just watching film, from the jump. Knowing what the scout was, trusting in my teammates, trusting in the coaching staff, knowing that I was really going to be able to dominate down low and take advantage of the bigs they had and just take advantage of the paint."

Head coach Dan Hurley seemed to be breathing a sigh of relief, telling CBS' Evan Washburn after the win that Reed was the difference in the game.

Reed is the first player since 1968 with at least 30 points and 25 rebounds in a tournament game.

Per ESPN.com, Reed is the first player since Bill Walton in 1972 to have a 30-20 game while shooting at least 80 percent from the field.

Reed's 27 rebounds were six more than Furman's entire team had. The senior standout set single-game career-highs in scoring, total rebounds and offensive rebounds (11) in his 131st career game.

Connecticut needed all of Reed's production because it only led 40-36 at halftime. Furman kept the score within five with under six minutes remaining in the second half before the Huskies were finally able to pull away.

Next up for Reed and the Huskies is a matchup with UCLA in the second round on Sunday at 8:45 p.m. ET.