SEATTLE — Unlike final season, UConn received’t be good heading into the beginning of Big East play.
What the Huskies achieved in nonconference play this season is perhaps extra spectacular.
Donovan Clingan scored 21 factors, Cam Spencer had 15 and No. 5 UConn ran away within the second half once more, beating No. 10 Gonzaga 76-63 on Friday night time.
The ultimate nonconference sport of the common season for the defending nationwide champs was one other instance of why the Huskies (10-1) might repeat, thumping the Bulldogs in a similar way to final season’s Elite Eight.
UConn will head into the Big East with wins over North Carolina, Indiana, Texas and Gonzaga.
“We’ve played the top teams in the country, so playing those teams and now going and playing in the best league in the country I feel like it’s given us good momentum,” Clingan mentioned.
PHOTOS: Donovan Clingan scores 21 as No. 5 UConn takes down No. 10 Gonzaga 76-63
Clingan managed the center. Spencer hit some key 3-pointers throughout UConn’s large first half, and the Huskies constructed an 18-point lead within the second half and withstood each run by the Zags.
Clingan hit 8 of 11 photographs and grabbed eight rebounds. Alex Karaban added 11 factors for UConn, and Tristen Newton and Hassan Diarra each completed with 9.
“The difference between last year’s team and this year’s team is that defensive intensity, that identity to be able to win a game by getting stops,” UConn coach Dan Hurley mentioned. “We shot the cover off the ball in the first half and then the second half we didn’t make a three. So we won it with defense.”
Anton Watson led Gonzaga (8-3) with 20 factors. Ryan Nembhard added 15, however the remainder of Gonzaga’s supporting forged struggled. Leading scorer Graham Ike completed with 5 factors after averaging 14.2 factors via the primary 10 video games. Key bench contributor Braden Huff, averaging 11.7 factors, made only one free throw.
Gonzaga was 2 of 12 on 3-pointers.
“They felt like they competed physically,” Gonzaga coach Mark Few mentioned. “We just got to be able to step up and make shots in games like this and you need ‘A’ games out of your best guys.”
The Huskies beat Gonzaga 82-54 within the regional ultimate in Las Vegas in March on their technique to their championship and regarded simply as spectacular this time round. UConn shot 63% within the first half and led by 11 on the break, then outscored Gonzaga 11-4 to begin the second half to take a 56-38 lead.
Two free throws from Nolan Hickman with 4:04 left received Gonzaga to 68-58, however a dunk from Clingan and a layup off a turnover from Diarra gave the Huskies a 72-58 lead with 3:26 left and despatched Gonzaga followers for the exits.
Gonzaga misplaced for the second time in three video games – each in Seattle and each to groups nicknamed the Huskies. Gonzaga misplaced 78-73 at Washington final Saturday.
BIG PICTURE
UConn: The Huskies closed out a stretch with three of their final 4 video games in opposition to groups ranked within the prime 10 of the AP Top 25. UConn misplaced at Kansas, beat North Carolina and topped the Zags.
Gonzaga: The Bulldogs missed out on their final probability at a marquee win away from their dwelling court docket till not less than February. Gonzaga misplaced at Washington and nonetheless has highway video games at Kentucky and Saint Mary’s in February and March, however thus far its resume is missing the large Top 25 nonconference win the Zags are identified for.
UP NEXT
UConn: The Huskies open Big East play Wednesday night time at Seton Hall.
Gonzaga: The Bulldogs will host Jackson State on Wednesday night time.
