Donovan Clingan had a game-high 22 points and 16 rebounds to lead No. 2 UConn to an impressive 73-57 win over No. 10 Marquette in the Big East Tournament championship game.
Tristen Newton, who was named the Big East Tournament Most Outstanding Player, added 13 points and 10 assists in the Huskies' third victory over Marquette this season. It marked the first Big East tourney title for UConn head coach Dan Hurley.
With the win, the Huskies improved to 31-3 and put themselves in position to receive the No. 1 overall seed when the 2024 NCAA Tournament bracket is revealed Sunday.
Here are the highlights!
Newton found Donovan Clingan in the paint, and the big man did the rest for UConn.
Newton found an open Hassan Diarra, and the guard knocked down the 3-pointer, giving the Huskies a game-high 16-point lead.
After getting on the board with a 3-pointer, Jaylin Stewart later hit two more 3-balls, stretching UConn's lead to double digits.
Stewart and Newton hit 3-pointers on consecutive possessions for UConn, which led by six at the second TV timeout of the second half.
Clingan had his way inside, pulling off another and-1 in the form of a poster dunk.
It was a relatively even first half across the board in what was a defensive battle. Clingan was the standout performer, as the UConn center posted a double-double (10 points and 10 rebounds).
Newton scored the final points of the first half, getting separation and knocking down a go-ahead 3-pointer.
David Joplin intercepted a UConn pass and turned the pick into points on the other end of the floor for Marquette.
Joplin missed a contested 3-pointer before the shot clock expired, but Zaide Lowery was there for the tip-in for Marquette.
Newton flaunted his shooting range, draining a 3-pointer from the "Madison Square Garden" emblem.
Spencer got his defender to bite at the pump-fake, and the guard found Samson Johnson inside for the jam.
Clingan got fouled underneath, converting the and-1 to tie the game at 12-12 midway through the first half.
Jones hit a 3-pointer off a screen from Oso Ighodaro for Marquette's first bucket from behind the arc. A few moments later, Lowery then connected on a 3-pointer for the Golden Eagles.
Johnson got the Huskies on the board with a slam off a slick underneath assist from Newton. The game was still tied at just four apiece at the second TV timeout.
Jones attacked the rack, but UConn's Stephon Castle sent his shot attempt out of bounds. There was just one basket made before the first TV timeout, with Marquette leading 2-0 with 14:31 remaining in the first half.
Both head coaches (Marquette's Shaka Smart and UConn's Dan Hurley) discussed what makes their programs distinct.
