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GLENDALE, Ariz. — Tristen Netwon waited for the ball screen up top, then hit cutting big man Donovan Clingan down the lane for an emphatic dunk. The Connecticut bench exploded.
Although it took longer than usual, the Huskies pulled away from Alabama on Saturday night to post an 86-72 win at State Farm Stadium.
Entering Saturday, the Huskies had not been challenged in this tournament. They’d had beaten Stetson, Northwestern, San Diego State and Illinois by an average of 27.8 points. Their only hiccup came on the flight to the Final Four, as mechanical and weather issues delayed the team’s arrival until 3 a.m. Thursday.
That changed against Alabama. For 30-plus minutes, the Crimson Tide tested the Huskies (36-3). With 12:44 left in the second half, Grant Nelson hit a soft jump hook to tie the contest 56-56. Then the game turned.
UConn guard Stephon Castle hit two foul shots and scored off penetration. Samson Johnson rolled to the basket and dunked. Alex Karaban put back a miss. Eight straight points. Connecticut had its largest lead at 64-56. Alabama coach Nate Oats called time. It didn’t matter.
The Huskies played with poise in the final minutes, limiting the 3-point barrage that had hurt them in the first half. Steady from the opening tip, Castle led UConn with 21 points. Clingan added 18 points, five rebounds and four blocked shots. Newton had 12 points and nine assists. Karaban and Cam Spencer each contributed 14 points.
UConn shot 53 percent in the second half.
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UConn survives test, returns to national title game by warding off Alabama in Final Four
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