Clingan leads UConn past Zags in Elite 8 rematch
Dec 16, 2023, 12:39 AM ET
SEATTLE– Unlike last season, UConn will not be perfect heading into the start of Big East play.What the Huskies accomplished in nonconference play this season might be more impressive.Donovan Clingan scored 21 points, Camera Spencer had 15 and
No. 5 UConn fled in the 2nd half again, beating No. 10 Gonzaga 76-63 on Friday night.The last nonconference game of the routine season for the defending nationwide champs was another example of why the Huskies(10-1)could repeat, thumping the Bulldogs in a comparable fashion to last season’s Elite Eight.Editor’s Picks 2 Related UConn will head into the Big East with wins over North Carolina, Indiana, Texas and Gonzaga.”We’ve played the top groups in
the country, so
playing those teams and now going and playing in the very best league in the nation I seem like it’s provided us excellent momentum,”Clingan said.Clingan managed the middle. Spencer hit some key 3-pointers throughout UConn’s big very first half, and the Huskies developed an 18-point lead in the 2nd half and endured every run
by the Zags.Clingan struck 8 of 11 shots and got eight rebounds. Alex Karaban included 11 points for UConn, and Tristen Newton and Hassan Diarra both ended up with 9.”The difference between last year’s group 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 said.”We shot the cover off the ball in the very 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 points. Ryan Nembhard included 15, however the rest of Gonzaga’s supporting cast struggled. Leading scorer Graham Ike completed with five points after averaging 14.2 points through the first 10 games. Secret bench contributor Braden Huff, averaging 11.7 points, made simply one free throw.Gonzaga was 2-of-12 on 3-pointers.”They felt like they competed physically,”Gonzaga coach Mark Few stated.” We simply got to be able to step up and make shots in games like this and you require ‘A’games out of your best guys. “The Huskies beat Gonzaga 82-54 in the local final in Las Vegas in March on their method to their champion and looked simply as impressive this time around. UConn shot 63 %in the first half and led by 11 at the break, then outscored Gonzaga 11-4 to start the second half to take a 56-38 lead.Two free throws from Nolan Hickman with 4:04 left got 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 sent out Gonzaga fans for the exits.Gonzaga lost for the 2nd time in 3 games– both in Seattle and both to groups nicknamed the Huskies. Gonzaga lost 78-73 at Washington last Saturday.