Top-seeded UConn defeats No. 9 Northwestern

BROOKLYN, NY (WFSB) - The top overall seed in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament said it was ready to dance with its second round opponent.

The University of Connecticut defeated Northwestern University on Sunday, 75-58.

A strong first half performance set the tone for UConn as the Huskies sprinted past 9th-seeded Northwestern, 75-58.

UConn was off to a good start at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY. It led 11-2 before the first time out.

A pair of double-doubles paced the Huskies. Tristen Newton scored a team-high 20 points and dished out 10 assists while Donovan Clingan scored 14 points and grabbed a team-high 14 rebounds. Cam Spencer chipped in 11 points and shot 50 percent from the floor.

Despite shooting 3-for-22 on three pointers, the Huskies dominated on both ends of the floor. They shot 53.7 percent from the field and blocked nine shots. Eight of those blocks belonged to Clingan.

At the half, the score was UConn 40, Northwestern 18.

The Wildcats made a charge late in the second half. They got to within 16 points with just under 4 minutes to go. The Huskies had not scored in 4 minutes.

In the end, however, it was UConn that prevailed.

Watch parties

Hype for the Huskies became stronger after the team took down Northwestern.

Watch parties were planned at the Kinsmen Brewing Company in Southington and Two Roads Brewing Company in Stratford. Others were also planned across the country.

Fans at Kinsmen Brewing brought the energy.

For fans of all levels, watching the UConn hoops team dance to the Sweet 16 felt pretty good.

“We have really great fans who do come here and they’re always so excited. And we always have people from all over the state come to watch the game, so it’s a really great time,” the brewery said.

Dozens of fans came out for dinner, drinks, and a great time.

The brewery said it hosts watch parties throughout the NCAA tournament for both the men’s and women’s teams.

Now, with another win in the rearview mirror, staff said they’ve been getting ready to host Husky Nation again the next time UConn takes to the court.

“It’s so awesome to have fans that come here and watch the game all the time,” Kinsmen said. “And they support our brewery, so it’s a really great time.”

UConn was not the only local team in the tournament. Fans in Connecticut also cheered on the Yale Bulldogs as they squared off against San Diego State. The winner of that game has a date with UConn in the Sweet 16.

Sunday night’s UConn game was broadcast on truTV.

It was available for streaming on Max and the NCAA March Madness apps.

Radio listeners found it on the UConn Sports Network, FOX Sports 97-9.

How they got there

The Huskies breezed by the 16th-seeded Stetson University Hatters on Friday afternoon.

All five starters finished with double figures in the 91-52 victory.

Donovan Clingan was the leading scorer for UConn with 19 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Cam Spencer pitched in with 15 points in his first NCAA Tournament game.

Ninth-seeded Northwestern earned its spot in the second round with a 77-65 overtime win over Florida Atlantic on Friday.

Ryan Langborg scored a team high 27 points. Boo Buie, the Wildcats’ leading scorer, added 22.

UConn had never faced Northwestern before.

What’s next

The Huskies now head to the Sweet 16 in Boston where they face 5th-seeded San Diego State on Thursday. Tip off was slated for 7:39 p.m., but could be a little later depending on what happens during a game right before it.

Stay with Channel 3 for continuing coverage of UConn’s NCAA Tournament trek.