GLENDALE, Ariz. — UConn has finally been tested. They defeated Alabama 86-72 in a game that was much closer than the final score. The Crimson Tide gave the Huskies everything they could handle tonight.
UConn was led by freshman guard Stephon Castle's 21 points. Sophomore center Donovan Clingan scored 18.
In the late game of the Final Four, UConn and Alabama came out firing early, going basket for basket. UConn jumped out to a 13-8 lead, but an Alabama three pointer under the 13-minute mark gave the Crimson Tide a three-point lead, the latest the Huskies have trailed in the tournament.
An Alabama three with 11 minutes to go in the first half gave them a five-point lead. The Crimson Tide started the game five of seven from downtown. UConn trailed by three at the second media timeout after a dunk by junior center Sampson Johnson.
Alabama gave the Huskies a fight for much of the night, as UConn played from behind for the first time in the tournament. Outside of Castle, who hit two quick threes, UConn’s three-point shooting was inconsistent in the first half, but the Huskies retook the lead at 24-23 on a thunderous dunk by Clingan at the 9:30 mark. It forced Alabama head coach Nate Oats to call timeout.
The teams proceeded to trade leads and were tied at 28 at the third media timeout with just over seven minutes remaining in the half. At that point, Alabama was shooting six of nine from distance, where they scored most of their points.
The Crimson Tide took the lead at 31-30, but Newton quickly came down the court and returned the favor with a three.
Newton extended UConn’s lead to 35-31, which was the score at the final media timeout of the first half. To that point in the game, UConn struggled from distance, shooting just four of 14 on threes. Alabama meanwhile was electric from long distance, shooting seven of 10.
UConn took a five-point lead on a Cam Spencer three pointer, but Alabama came right back down the court and scored. Spencer, however, came to play. The next trip down the court, he scored again. He ended the game with 14 points. And the next trip down, it was Clingan scoring to give UConn a 42-35 lead at the one-minute mark.
A Crimson Tide three cut the lead to 42-38, but Clingan hit two free throws. Alabama scored at the buzzer to make it a four-point game at the half, 44-40.
UConn came out scoring in the second half, taking an eight-point lead until Alabama went on a 7-0 run to cut the score to one. A Clingan layup, a Karaban three and a Castle dunk brought the lead back to eight entering the first media timeout of the second half, but Alabama's hot three point shooting kept them within striking distance, as the Crimson Tide scored the next seven points.
Alabama tied the game at 56, but UConn exploded for eight quick points to take a 64-56 lead in a game of runs that just kept going back and forth. The Crimson Tide wouldn't be counted out and cut the lead to 67-61 with just over seven minutes to go. UConn scored the next four points, extending the lead to 10, its largest of the night.
Entering the final media timeout, UConn led by 10. A Karaban three shortly after the timeout and Alabama free throws extended UConn's lead to 11. Alabama hit a three from 30 feet away, but it wasn't enough. UConn took a timeout with just under two-and-a-half minutes remaining. Back to back dunks by Clingan brought the lead to 12 with 1:32 to go.
Multiple UConn three pointers extended the lead late. The Huskies ultimately prevailed 86-72.
UConn will play Purdue on Monday night in the National Championship game.
Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
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