HARTFORD, Conn. — Tristen Newton had an outstanding performance, scoring 22 points to lead No. 6 UConn to a 107-67 victory over Stonehill College.
Stephon Castle, a freshman, made significant contributions, scoring 17 points, grabbing eight rebounds, and dishing out five assists for the defending national champions, who have extended their winning streak in nonconference games to 19, including last season’s victorious run in the NCAA Tournament.
In addition, Donovan Clingan added 16 points in just 17 minutes, Alex Karaban scored 15 points, and Cam Spencer had 12 for the Huskies (2-0).
Meanwhile, Jackson Benigni was the leading scorer for Stonehill (1-2), amassing 22 points. Stonehill, in its second year of Division I basketball, faced a daunting challenge against the dominant UConn team.
Clingan, who was on a minutes restriction due to a foot injury sustained in the preseason, made an immediate impact by opening the scoring with a layup and contributing six points in UConn’s initial 12-0 run, which forced the Skyhawks into a zone defense.
However, their defensive adjustment proved futile as UConn continued to maintain control of the game.
PHOTOS: Newton leads five players in double figures in No. 6 UConn’s 107-67 rout of Stonehill College
Newton started off strong, making three 3-pointers and accumulating 14 points by halftime, contributing to UConn’s 52-30 lead at the break.
Early in the second half, the Huskies went on a 26-4 run in just over seven minutes, cementing their dominance for the remainder of the game.
UConn outperformed Stonehill in the paint, outscoring them 56-26, and also secured a 42-26 advantage in rebounds.
Stonehill: The Skyhawks’ previous victory over Army was followed by a tough 107-67 loss to UConn. They have a challenging game against No. 16 Kentucky next week, and as they continue their transition to Division I, they look ahead to becoming eligible for the NEC Tournament next season and the NCAA Tournament in 2026-27.
UConn: The Huskies face tougher non-conference games, with matchups against Indiana, and either Louisville or No. 18 Texas later this month. They also have challenging games scheduled for December against No. 1 Kansas, as well as against No. 11 Gonzaga and No. 19 North Carolina.
UP NEXT:
Stonehill: Travels to Philadelphia to take on Saint Joseph’s on Tuesday night.
UConn: The Huskies host Mississippi Valley State in Hartford on Tuesday.
