Harley’s Boys Make Big Statement To Start March Madness
Photo: Special to the NYB
By Shara Talia Taylor
The University of Connecticut Huskies advanced to the second round of
the NCAA men’s basketball tournament after defeating the Hatters of
Stetson University 91 to 52 the Barclays Center last Friday afternoon in
Brooklyn.
The Huskies were prepared and aggressive early and now have areas they
want to improve prior to Sunday’s matchup. UConn dominated in the
first quarter and held onto their lead, even when Stetson returned
from halftime, made shots at the free throw line and kept the Huskies
on their toes.
“It’s exactly how you want to start a game like this where — you’re
in March Madness,” said Huskies Coach Dan Hurley said about the early
defense and scoring gap created.
The Huskies and Hatters met center court at the Barclays Center ready
for tipoff. UConn Forward Alex Karaban scored the first shot, a layup
with an assist from Center Donovan Clingan. UConn was ahead by eight
points with about 15:46 minutes left in the half when Hatters Forward
Treyton Thompson made a dunk to score Stetson’s first points of the
game. The Huskies pushed ahead 46-10, their largest lead in the first
half, when about 3:20 minutes remained on the clock. UConn was ahead
of Stetson 52-19 at halftime.
Stetson was able to cut the Huskies’ lead to 25 points when about 15
minutes remained in the second half. Huskies charged ahead to end the
game.
Hatters Guard Stephan Swenson had a game high of 20 points for the
Hatters. He had six rebounds and two assists. 12 of his points were
scored in the second half of the game.
“Pride was what I wrote on the board,” said Stetson Coach Donnie Jones
about his halftime message. “Did not care about the score at that
point. Just wanted our guys to go out and show the level that we could
play at that got us here, and to go out and have no regret in these
last 20 minutes.”
The Hatters scored 33 of their total points in the second half. They
made two free throws in the first half and 13 in the second half.
“There’s no loss with our group tonight,” Coach Jones said. “The
victory has already been won.”
All UConn starters ended the games with points in the double digits.
Clingan finished with 19 points. Huskies Guard Cam Spencer added 15
and Guard Stephon Castle added 14. UConn Guard Tristen Newton led the
Huskies with eight assists. He added 13 points.
Karaban who was treated on the sideline for an injury, made a
significant impact in the game.
“I just got elbowed in the nose and James, our athletic trainer put it
back into place, but I’m all good,” he said about the incident.
He returned to the game after treatment and finished with 12 points,
four rebounds and one assist.
“I feel like in general I could have done way better on the defensive
end, but offensively it’s anybody any given night,” he said.
His teammates also want to improve their defense before the next game
and also rebounding.
“They shot 20 free throws,” Newton said. “We have to guard without fouling.”
“Going into Sunday playing a Big Ten team that rebounds the ball well,
me and everyone else just got to really attack the ball with two hands
on the defensive end and, you know, to be able to push in transition,”
Clingan added.
UConn had closed practice Saturday as they planned to take on
Northwestern Sunday at the Barclays Center.
