Clingan raises UConn to Knight Invitational title

PORTLAND, Ore.– Donovan Clingan had 15 points and 10 rebounds to power No. 20 UConn to a 71-53 win over Iowa State in the championship game of the Phil Knight Invitational on Sunday night.Tristen Newton

scored 13 points for the Huskies (8-0), who went 20-for-25 at the free-throw line. Alex Karaban and Andre Jackson Jr. each had 10 points.Osun Osunniyi led

Iowa State(5-1 )with 14 points. Tamin Lipsey had 12 points and Jaren Holmes completed with 11. “They were the more aggressive group,”Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger stated.” We wanted a physical game. We didn’t want a physical game with them getting the rebounds and then likewise us putting them on the nasty line. Lesson that we’ve got to learn is we need to embrace being the assailant at both ends of the floor at all times. “The Huskies had more offensive

rebounds(20 )than the Cyclones had total rebounds (19), and capitalized on that variation with 20 second-chance points.” Those people are tough,” UConn coach Dan Hurley stated.

“T.J.’s an excellent coach. They grind individuals up. To outrebound them, it just speaks to how hard we were.”Clingan, who was named tournament

MVP, scored eight indicate help UConn to a 38-28 lead at the break.Iowa State closed to 53-48 on Holmes’ 3-pointer midway through the second half. But Karaban made a 3 and a dunk, and Newton’s jumper made it 60-48 with 7:13 staying.