March Madness: UConn stops San Diego State 76-59 for men’s title
HOUSTON – The University of Connecticut marched to its fifth NCAA men’s basketball title on Monday night, ending San Diego State’s magical run with a 76-59 victory at NRG Stadium.
The Huskies (31-8) improved to 5-0 in NCAA title games, adding this year’s championships to crowns won in 1999, 2004, 2011 and 2014. San Diego State (32-7) was playing in its first NCAA title game. The Huskies became the fifth team since the NCAA bracket expanded in 1985 to win all six of its tournament games by double digits, according to The Associated Press.
The last time UConn and San Diego State met in the NCAA Tournament was in 2011, and the Huskies won that game en route to their third national title. The Huskies have won five national titles under three different coaches. Jim Calhoun won the first three titles and Kevin Ollie won a championship in 2014, according to ESPN.
Monday night, Tristan Newton led the Huskies with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Adama Sanoga, named the outstanding player of the Final Four, had 17 and 10 rebounds and Jordan Hawkins added 16. For San Diego State, Keshad Johnson had 14 points, Darrion Trammell had 13 and Lamont Butler, the hero of Saturday night’s semifinal victory, also had 13 points.
During the first half, the Huskies opened up leads as large as 16 and led by as much as 14 in the second half, but the Aztecs continued to hang close, staying within 10 or 11 points. With 7:36 to go, San Diego State cut the lead to 56-50 after a 3-pointer and a layup converted off a steal. San Diego State would cut UConn’s lead to five points, at 60-55, with 5:19 to play.
The Huskies pushed the lead back to 10 with 3:41 to play and stretched it to 14 with 2:08 to go.
UConn had been dominant during the tournament, winning each of its five previous games by at least 13 points and defeating Gonzaga by 28 in the Elite Eight. San Diego State, meanwhile, was the giant killer of the tournament, knocking off No. 1 overall seed Alabama. They also rallied from a 14-point deficit to defeat Florida Atlantic University with a buzzer-beating shot on Saturday night.
In Monday night’s game, San Diego State found itself trailing by double digits again at halftime. But unlike their miracle finish against Florida Atlantic University in Saturday’s Final Four matchup, the Aztecs were unable to solve UConn’s motion offense and strength under the boards. UConn scored 16 points from inside during the first half, while San Diego State was 0-for-6 on layups.
UConn took advantage of San Diego’s cold shooting and turnover-prone offense in the first half, taking a 36-24 lead at the intermission.
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San Diego State took early leads of 8-4 and 10-8 in the first half but suddenly could not find the net, missing 12 field goal attempts at one point and only converting a pair of free throws during a nine-minute stretch.
UConn, meanwhile, went on a 9-0 run to go ahead 16-10 before the Aztecs scored again with 10 minutes left in the half. The Huskies opened a 20-12 lead with 8:50 left before the intermission.
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The Aztecs finally broke their scoring drought when Matt Bradley hit a pair of free throws with 7:21 left in the half.
San Diego State shot just 28.6% percent from the floor and turned the ball over nine times.
Four times during the tournament, UConn held its opponents under 60 points, Sports Illustrated reported. The Huskies’ average margin of victory during their run to the title was 20 points.
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Saturday’s games marked the first time since seeding was introduced 44 years ago that no No. 1, 2 or 3 seeds reached the Final Four.
NRG Stadium was the site of Monday’s national championship game between Connecticut and San Diego State.
The American flag is unfurled as the national anthem is played before Monday’s title game.
The crowd was at capacity at tipoff for Monday’s national title game.
Lamont Butler of the San Diego State Aztecs dribbles the ball during the first half against Connecticut.
San Diego State’s Matt Bradley (20) drives past UConn’s Andre Jackson Jr.
UConn’s Tristen Newton (2) grabs a rebound against San DIego State’s Jaedon LeDee during the first half.
San Diego State coach Brian Dutcher speaks withDarrion Trammell during the first half.
UConn’s Donovan Clingan (32) goes up for a layup during the first half.
UConn’s Donovan Clingan (32) shoots over San Diego State’s Jaedon LeDee during the first half.
UConn coach Dan Hurley argues a call during the first half.
Darrion Trammell (12) of the San Diego State Aztecs reacts during the second half.
UConn’s Jordan Hawkins (24) drives to the basket during the second half.
San Diego State’s Nathan Mensah (31) defends against UConn’s Alex Karaban during the second half.
San Diego State’s Miles Byrd shows his frustration during the second half.
San Diego State’s Keshad Johnson reacts to a play during the second half.
Jordan Hawkins celebrates as UConn won its fifth men’s national title on Monday night.
San Diego State’s Keshad Johnson can only watch during the second half as UConn took control.
UConn coach Dan Hurley celebrates after defeating the San Diego State Aztecs to win the NCAA men’s title.
The Connecticut Huskies celebrate after defeating the San Diego State Aztecs 76-59.
UConn coach Dan Hurley celebrates with his team after defeating San Diego State.
UConn’s Andre Jackson Jr. holds up the championship trophy after the Huskies defeated San Diego State.
