GLENDALE, AZ – In an exhilarating Final Four showdown, the University of Connecticut Huskies outlasted the Alabama Crimson Tide, clinching an 86-72 victory that sends them to the National Championship game with aspirations of repeating as champions.
The game commenced with a quick score from Alabama’s Grant Nelson, who hit a triple to open the scoring. However, UConn was quick to respond, as Stephon Castle matched with a three-pointer of his own, igniting a 7-0 run for the Huskies. The exchange of triples continued, with Alabama’s Rylan Griffen and again Castle for UConn keeping the game tight and fast-paced. As the teams settled into the contest, UConn held a slight 13-8 lead by the first media timeout.
Emerging from the timeout, Alabama’s Aaron Estrada made his presence felt with a swift triple and a jumper, leveling the score at 13. The game’s intensity escalated with each possession, with Alabama momentarily taking the lead with a Wrightsell three-pointer. UConn fought back with a series of plays by Donovan Clingan, who scored a hook shot followed by a dunk, reasserting a one-point lead for the Huskies. The remainder of the first half saw multiple lead changes, but UConn managed to enter the break ahead 44-40.
Alabama impressed with a 73% three-point shooting rate in the first half, though UConn maintained a close overall shooting percentage and edged Alabama in rebounds, hinting at their resilience and tenacity under pressure.
The second half saw UConn start strong. Castle and Alex Karaban immediately added layups to extend their lead. Alabama responded with a triple from Estrada, igniting a 7-0 run, signaling they were not going down without a fight. The Huskies’ Clingan stopped the run with a critical jumper, maintaining a slim lead for UConn.
The back-and-forth continued, with UConn managing to build and then Alabama narrowing the gap, highlighted by a dramatic dunk from Nelson. However, each Alabama resurgence was countered by decisive moves from UConn, including an alley-oop dunk by Castle and critical three-pointers from Karaban.
As the game neared its final stretch, UConn’s defensive intensity increased, leading to turnovers and missed shots by Alabama. With under eight minutes left, UConn expanded their lead, with Clingan’s inside presence proving too much for the Tide, pushing the lead to 10 points. In the final minutes, despite a few scoring bursts from Alabama’s Sears, UConn’s lead proved insurmountable.
The Huskies’ shooting from the field and beyond the arc was stellar in the second half, significantly outpacing Alabama’s, which saw a dip in three-point efficiency. Castle finished with a game-high 21 points, while Clingan added 18 points, crucial in maintaining UConn’s interior advantage.
Alabama’s Sears ended the game as the leading scorer for his team with 24 points, supported by Nelson’s robust double-double of 19 points and 15 rebounds, which highlighted his all-around impact despite the loss.
As the final buzzer sounded, UConn’s players celebrated a well-earned victory. The Huskies now look forward to the National Championship game against the Purdue Boilermakers, where they will seek to defend their title at State Farm Stadium. With a blend of sharp shooting, strategic execution, and resilient gameplay, UConn demonstrated why they are one win away from repeating as national champions.
