No. 1 UConn tops Marquette in historic blowout of top-5 crew

STORRS, Conn. — UConn is the No.1 crew within the nation and the defending nationwide champion, but the Huskies went into Saturday’s matchup with No. 4 Marquette coveting one thing the Golden Eagles received a 12 months in the past: a Large East championship.

Donovan Clingan had 17 factors and 10 rebounds to assist the Huskies to an 81-53 rout of Marquette and management of the convention race.

“We had been simply attempting to show who we’re, and we’re simply attempting to win,” Clingan mentioned.

It was a historic blowout; UConn’s 28-point margin of victory was the most important in an AP Prime-5 convention matchup in ballot historical past, in keeping with ESPN Stats & Info analysis.

Tristen Newton added 15 factors, 8 rebounds and eight assists for the Huskies (24-2, 14-1), who’ve received 14 straight video games. Cam Spencer and Hassan Diarra every added 14 factors.

Kam Jones scored 15 factors and Oso Ighodaro had 14 for Marquette (19-6, 10-4), which got here into the sport with an eight-game profitable streak.

The Huskies now lead the second-place Golden Eagles within the Large East by three video games within the loss column with 5 to play.

The Huskies led by 16 factors after a powerful defensive first half and 18 after a putback by Newton to open the second half.

They took a 21-point lead at 51-30 after an offensive rebound by Newton, who fed Clingan for an emphatic dunk by means of the lane. UConn constructed its result in as many as 29 factors within the second half.

“You play elite offense, you play elite protection and also you’re an excellent rebounding crew and also you play more durable than the opponent, it does not give them plenty of locations to go,” UConn coach Dan Hurley mentioned.

The rating was tied at 18 earlier than UConn took management. The Huskies held Marquette with out a area purpose for nearly 4 minutes, went on a 13-0 run late within the half and went into the break main 42-26.

The groups will meet once more on March 6 in Milwaukee.

“What we have to do higher the subsequent time we play UConn? It is like Santa Claus’ record that unfolds,” Marquette coach Shaka Good mentioned. “However I feel beginning with that we’ve got to play with extra of a stage of violence and toughness about us. They’d that edge at the moment.”

The Related Press contributed to this story.