Storrs — If short-handed UConn is able to go on a successful run, freshmen Christian Vital and Vance Jackson realize they have to consistently contribute to the cause.

It can't be Vital playing well one game, and Jackson the next.

"We've talked about this many times," Vital said. "What is it going to take for both of us to hit our shots and play defense at the same time? One game I'll do it and one game he'll do it.

"... We said to help this team out, with six (healthy) players, we need to help the team not just with energy but be productive out there."

Vital and Jackson are starting to deliver at the same time and, not surprisingly, UConn is playing better basketball.

The Huskies (9-11, 4-4) will be shooting for a season-best third straight win on Saturday, hosting Tulane Gampel Pavilion (8 p.m., ESPNU). The Green Wave (4-16, 1-7) have dropped nine of their last 10.

Vital had perhaps his best game in Wednesday's 81-60 win at South Florida, chipping in career highs for points (17), steals (five) and 3-pointers made (five). Jackson continued his improved play, scoring 12 points.

It's only the second time this season they've both scored in double digits in the same game.

"Hopefully, we can continue it," said Vital, a former St. Thomas More standout.

The Huskies can't afford for the two freshmen to back-slide. Injury woes continue to haunt them. Reserves Steven Enoch (foot) and Juwan Durham (ankle), who both sat out Friday's practice, remain day-to-day. It's more likely that Durham will return than Enoch, who's missed the last three games.

That means UConn could be playing with six scholarship players for the third straight game.

"They're doing more, which is good," coach Kevin Ollie said of his two injured players.

Vital, a 6-foot-2 reserve guard, appears to be shaking his prolonged shooting funk. He's converted 9-for-14 from the field in the last two games after sinking just 33.3 percent in the first 18 games.

"I would imagine you have better confidence after a game like that," said Ollie, referring to the South Florida game. "He's playing within himself. He's not doing a lot of stuff off the dribble. Jalen (Adams) is setting him up. ... He's just catching and shooting and staying within himself."

But Ollie is happier about these Vital numbers in recent games: seven rebounds against East Carolina and five steals at South Florida.

"I'm more proud of that than the three pointers," Ollie said. "The hand gestures after he makes a three pointer and all that, I don't care for that."

Jackson, a 6-8 forward, is living up to his reputation as a sharpshooter. He's scored in double figures in seven of the last nine games during which he's converted 50.8 percent from the field, 52.6 percent from 3-point land.

In AAC games, Jackson is ranked first in 3-point shooting at 51.5 percent (17-for-33).

Jackson never lost faith despite an ugly shooting start to his career. He recovered from a similar slump as a high school senior.

"In the middle of my senior season I went on a drought and I couldn't buy a basket," Jackson said. "I never doubt my shot. I know I can shoot. I believe I'm one of the best shooters in the conference, in the world, in my opinion."

Ollie continues to preach to his freshmen to not repeat mistakes over and over again, and they've responded. He's seen improvement in both players.

Now they just have to keep it up.

"We are given a lot of minutes, Vance and I, and it's not always going to be perfect," Vital said. "We understand how much our team needs us."

g.keefe@theday.com

UCONN vs. TULANE

Location: Gampel Pavilion, Storrs

Tip: 8 p.m. (ESPNU)

Records: UConn 9-11, 4-4; Tulane 4-16, 1-7

Last game: UConn won at South Florida, 81-60, Wednesday; Tulane lost at Houston, 65-51, Tuesday

Probable starters: UConn, 6-3 so. guard Jalen Adams (15.4 pts, 6.7 assists, 4.7 rebs), 6-4 r-sr. guard Rodney Purvis (12.3 pts, 4.4 rebs), 6-8 fr. forward Vance Jackson (8.3 pts, 3.6 rebs), 6-10 sr. forward Kentan Facey (8.4 pts, 7.3 rebs), 7-0 sr. center Amida Brimah (7.1 pts, 5.7 rebs, 2.8 blks)

Tulane, 6-4 r-sr. guard Malik Morgan (9.4 pts, 5.8 rebs, 3.8 assists), 6-5 fr. guard Ray Ona Embo (5.5 pts), 6-5 so. guard Melvin Frazier (10.1 pts, 4.4 rebs), 6-7 r-jr. forward Cameron Reynolds (15.6 pts, 6.7 rebs), 6-11 sr. center (8.6 pts, 4.5 rebs)

Noteworthy: UConn aiming for first 3-game winning streak and first time over. 500 in league play this season. ... Third straight foe with losing record. ... Tulane on a four-game losing streak. ... Series: UConn leads, 4-0, sweeping last season 75-67 at Tulane and 60-42 in Hartford. ... Former NBA coach and GM Mike Dunleavy, Sr., in first season at Tulane. ... Top reserve: 6-4 so. guard Kain Harris (11.5 pts). ... Tulane's only AAC win at USF. ... Green Wave last in AAC in scoring defense (78.6), FG percentage defense (48.3), rebound margin (minus 3.8). ... Hot: Huskies averaging 76.5 points in last two games. Cold: UConn 10th in steals in AAC at 4.6. ... Injury update: UConn reserves Steve Enoch (foot), Juwan Durham (ankle), day to day. ... Adams 7th in nation in assists. ... Huskies 5-4 at home, Green Wave 2-5 on road. ... Up next: UConn off a week, visiting Cincinnati next Saturday.

— Gavin Keefe