University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
10-2,0-1Big East
Seton Hall
8-4,1-0Big East
Huskies Drop BIG EAST Opener At Seton Hall
12/20/2023 10:17:00 PM | Men's Basketball
NEWARK – The No. 5 UConn men's basketball team (10-2, 0-1 BIG EAST) dropped its BIG EAST opener at Seton Hall (8-4, 1-0) by a score of 75-60 on Wednesday night at the Prudential Center. The contest was the league lid-lifter for both squads.
Tristen Newton (El Paso, Texas) led the Huskies with 16 points in the setback, adding six rebounds and an assist. Donovan Clingan (Bristol, Conn.) went for 14 points and seven rebounds in 14 minutes of action, but was sidelined early in the second half and did not return. The Huskies finished with season-lows in nearly every offensive category, including a season-low 60 points and a 37.9 percent mark from the floor.
How it Happened
UConn jumped out to a quick 8-2 lead, getting a pair of Newton 3-pointers and a Clingan bucket to take the early advantage. The Huskies took their largest lead of the first half at the 8:47 mark, going up 20-10, but the Pirates had a quick answer and used a 15-2 run to take their first lead late in the first half.
After the Huskies pulled back even, Seton Hall ripped off another 7-0 run that bled into the final minute of the first half to take their largest lead at seven. The Huskies knocked down a pair of free throws moments before the break to cut the deficit to 34-29 at the half.
Clingan hit a bucket to cut the lead to four early in the second half, but a trip later he went down with an injury and did not return. Both sides traded baskets for the early portion of the second half, before Seton Hall took its first double-digit lead at 52-42 midway through the half. The Huskies would only get back within single digits once the rest of the way as the Pirates held off every rally attempt, going up as many as 19 in the 15-point victory.
Inside The Numbers
- The Huskies finished 22-of-58 (37.9 percent) from the floor and 4-of-21 (19.0 percent) from 3-point range
- Conversely, Seton Hall shot 29-of-56 (51.8 percent) from the floor and was 3-of-8 from 3-point range
- UConn narrowly won the rebounding battle, 33-32, led by eight rebounds from Alex Karaban (Southborough, Mass.)
- The Huskies were out-scored 18-0 in fast break points and 17-10 in points off turnovers
News and Notes
- UConn falls to 18-20 all-time in BIG EAST openers and 1-3 under Dan Hurley
- Newton finished in double-figures for the 10th time this season
- UConn drops to 48-23 all-time against Seton Hall and 4-4 in the last eight meetings
- The Huskies are 0-2 this season in true road games
Up Next
The Huskies return home to host St. John's on Saturday, Dec. 23. Tip-off for the primetime showdown is set for 8 p.m. from the XL Center.
