University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
6-0,0-0Big East
Manhattan
3-2,0-0MAAC
Newton Sets Triple-Double Record, No. 5 UConn Tops Manhattan
11/24/2023 5:09:00 PM | Men's Basketball
HARTFORD – Behind a record-setting triple-double from Tristen Newton (El Paso, Texas) the No. 5 UConn men's basketball team (6-0) rolled to a 90-60 victory over Manhattan (3-2) in front of 15,006 fans on Friday afternoon at the XL Center. The triple-double for Newton was the third of his UConn career, the most for any Husky in program history.
The win was also UConn's 23rd-straight win over a non-conference foe by double-figures, tying a record set by North Carolina from 2008-10.
Newton finished his historic performance with 15 points, a career-high 13 assists and 10 rebounds. He previously recorded triple-doubles last season against Buffalo and Marquette. The record-breaking feat broke a tie he had previously shared with Husky great Shabazz Napier.
Cam Spencer (Davidsonville, Md.) led the Huskies with 18 points in the win, followed by Donovan Clingan (Bristol, Conn.) with 17. In addition to Newton's 15 points, Alex Karaban (Southborough, Mass.) chipped in 12 and Hassan Diarra (Queens, N.Y.) was the fifth Husky in double-figures with 11.
How it Happened
Manhattan came out undeterred, taking an 11-10 lead in the early going. The Huskies answered emphatically with a 19-4 run, forcing a Manhattan timeout midway through the first half with UConn up 29-15. Overall, the Huskies ended up shooting a blistering 65.5 percent from the floor in the opening stanza to take a 49-32 lead to the break.
The Huskies came out of the half blazing, making five of their first six field goals of the frame to open the second on a 10-0 run and quickly balloon the lead to 27. Another 9-0 run later in the half pushed the lead to 70-37 and forced an MC timeout. From there the only remaining drama was Newton completing his triple-double, which came on his 10th rebound at the 5:39 mark of regulation.
Inside The Numbers
- UConn shot 58.1 percent from the floor and 45.0 percent from 3-point range, both season-bests
- The Huskies held Manhattan to a 39.7 percent mark from the floor
- UConn recorded a season-high 10 steals, getting two apiece from DIarra, Newton, Spencer and Samson Johnson (Lome, Togo)
- Connecticut was dominant in the paint, out-scoring Manhattan 54-24 there
- The 18 points for Spencer came on 7-of-10 shooting from the floor and a perfect 4-of-4 effort from 3-point range
- UConn did not miss a free throw, going a perfect 9-for-9 from the charity stripe
- The Huskies were +9 on the glass and +4 in turnover margin
News and Notes
- Newton's third UConn triple-double broke a tie with Shabazz Napier for most in program history
- UConn has won 23-straight games against non-conference opponents by double-figures, tying an NCAA record
- Newton's career-high 13 assists topped his previous career-best of 12, coming against Marquette also in a triple-double last season
- Diarra scored in double-figures for the first time this season
- Karaban tied a career-high with three blocked shots
- UConn improves to 20-14 all-time against Manhattan in only the second meeting since 1983
- Freshman Jaylin Stewart (Seattle, Wash.) set a new career-high with seven points
Up Next
The Huskies return to action on Monday night, hosting New Hampshire at Gampel Pavilion. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. on CBS Sports Network.
