No. 25 UConn Hoops runs Delaware State out of XL Center
Delaware State, the team that gave Villanova fits well into the second half just six days ago came into Hartford, CT hoping for a similar outcome against the No. 25 UConn Huskies. Instead, they fell behind early, and were never able to recover, losing 95-60. Adama Sanogo had another monster game, scoring 26 points and adding eight boards to help the Huskies to 5-0 ahead of the PK85 tournament.
Connecticut started out with a second chance bucket by Sanogo, which the Hornets followed up with a deuce of their own. Tristen Newton responded with a pair of threes and Nahiem Alleyne added a runner to make it 13-5 early. Sanogo had a big rejection at the rim against the Delaware State dunk attempt and he got a pair from the charity stripe on the other end.
Alex Karaban got open for the three but Jevin Muniz got in rhythm for a deep one of his own. Joey Calcaterra went on his own mini 5-0 run with a pair of transition buckets and Donovan Clingan finished through contact for the layup. Delaware State was having trouble keeping up and it was a 15 point game early.
Calcaterra hit from deep again and Hawkins took the inside feed and finished. Alleyne scored four straight and the Hornets were getting blown out of the gym. Hawkins and Sanogo each hit threes, already up 40-13 with seven minutes left in the period. Sanogo faked the three and used the spin move to get inside for the beautiful hook, following it with a transition bucket. Calcaterra rocketed a pass into Karaban, who was wide open for the flush.
Hawkins splashed the three and then emphatically swatted the layup to create an opportunity for Clingan to get a layup. The 7’2’’ freshman got another close bucket to finish the half and there was little in doubt for the Huskies, up 57-24.
Kyle Johnson opened the scoring for the Hornets with a jumper and Raymond Somerville converted on the three point play. UConn finally got it going with a lob from Alleyne to Sanogo for the layup, getting the lead back to 30. Hawkins got a block and dished it up to Alleyne, who connected again with Sanogo for the alley-oop dunk. Karaban converted the and-one and Jackson got the first three of the season, but the Huskies were playing sloppily defensively.
Diarra got a layup on the open drive and Hawkins hit from deep, but the Hornets continued to put up buckets to keep it a 30 point game. Clingan blocked a shot, Hawkins got the rebound and dished it back to Clingan on the break, who slammed in a dunk. Calcaterra and Alleyne hit consecutive deep, contested shots from the wing to put the game to bed.
Even with the game well out of reach with two minutes left, Newton remained in. He drove in and stepped on a Delaware State player’s foot, twisting his ankle and limping off the floor.
TAKEAWAYS...
Sanogo looked like the best player on the court for the entire game, constantly making the Delaware State defense look silly. His early three pointer opened up the pump fake for him later on, which increased the ease at which he was able to score. Hitting threes early in games will be critical for the junior, as he looks to open the floor and force defenses to play up on him.
Calcaterra also had an impressive outing, notching 11 points, six assists and five boards. You have to take these types of games with a grain of salt, but it’s a really encouraging sign for the guard as he looks to carve out a role for himself as the season goes.
The Hornets also had no answer for Clingan, who also looked good Sunday. He posted 15 points and five blocks, seemingly affecting every shot he contested. The freshman has been everything advertised in five games, but it’ll be interesting to see how he fares against better competition.
The Huskies will face such competition when they play Oregon on Thursday to open the PK85 tournament. The game tips at 8 p.m. EST and will air on ESPN2.
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