SEATTLE – (Staff Report from Official News Release) – Fifth-ranked Connecticut travelled to Seattle to face 10th-ranked Gonzaga and impressed all with a 76-63 victory late Friday night. Earlier in the evening, Butler won its sixth straight by cruising past Saginaw Valley State 96-70.
UConn (10-1) got out of the gate quickly and held the lead throughout the contest. The Huskies shot 55.8 percent from the floor for the game and held Gonzaga to 30 percent shooting in the second half. Donovan Clingan led the way with 21 points and eight rebounds. Cam Spencer added 15 points. The win was UConn’s second over a top-10 team this season.
Butler opened its game with a 17-2 run and enjoyed a comfortable lead throughout the contest. Freshman Finley Bizjack took advantage of added playing time and scored a team-high 17 points. He is the 10thBulldog to score in double figures this season. Leading scorer Pierre Brooks II (16.8) scored 15 points in 20 minutes of playing time.
Butler starts BIG EAST competition Tuesday at home against Georgetown while UConn opens at Seton Hall on Wednesday.