No. 4 UConn makes case for high workforce after win over Georgetown

HARTFORD, Conn. — Alex Karaban tied a profession excessive with 26 factors and No. 4 UConn made its case to be thought-about the nation’s high workforce with an 80-67 win over Georgetown on Sunday.

Cam Spencer added 20 factors for the Huskies (15-2, 5-1 Huge East) who gained their fifth straight sport, all as beginning middle Donovan Clingan remained sidelined with a proper foot damage. Freshman Stephon Fortress added 14 factors.

Coach Dan Hurley stated the Huskies have earned the suitable to be ranked No. 1 and embrace the “goal” that might include that.

“We have got the need and the arrogance of a championship program, within the brutalist league within the nation,” he stated.

Supreme Prepare dinner had 18 factors and 13 rebounds to guide the Hoyas (8-9, 1-5). Jayden Epps added 16 factors and Dontrez Kinds added 11.

UConn opened the sport on a 6-2 run, with 3-pointers from Spencer and Karaban, an indication of issues to return.

However with out Clingan, UConn had a tricky time containing Prepare dinner. The Fairfield switch hit his first 4 photographs and scored Georgetown’s first 10 factors, holding the Hoyas within the sport early.

Prepare dinner had 16 factors and 10 rebounds by halftime, however fouled out with greater than six minutes left within the sport.

“I am pleased with him,” coach Ed Cooley stated. “As a result of he is in there battling. We want another battering rams in there. The Hoyas have gotten to do a greater job serving to him.”

Karaban had 5 of his six 3-pointers within the first 20 minutes. His fourth of the sport gave the Huskies their first double-digit lead at 32-22 and the Huskies led 40-31 at halftime.

The 6-foot-8 sophomore has spent a lot of his time taking part in at middle with Clingan out, which has created lots of mismatches on each ends of the ground.

“Nobody goes to really feel sorry for us simply because we’re lacking one among our high gamers,” Karaban stated. “We simply need to go on the market and simply play at a complete different degree.”

The Hoyas acquired inside six factors within the second half, however might pull no nearer.

The Huskies shot 51% from the ground and made 13 of their 24 photographs from behind the arc.

BIG PICTURE

Georgetown: The Hoyas have misplaced the previous seven conferences with UConn and now path the collection 37-36.

UConn: With the three groups above the Huskies dropping this previous week (Purdue, Houston and Kansas), the defending nationwide champions have an opportunity to be No. 1 within the AP Prime 25 ballot on Monday.

CLINGAN NEARS RETURN

Hurley stated Clingan, who participated in warmups Sunday, will not be rushed again from his foot damage, however the 7-2 sophomore might be prepared shortly for restricted minutes with the Huskies.

“He has the expertise from final 12 months coming off the bench,” Hurley stated. “We’ll do that originally with him and type of play him like we did final 12 months — brief spurts till he is doubtlessly able to do starter minutes.”

The Related Press contributed to this story.