NCAA Tournament 2023: UConn downs San Diego for fifth national title

The University of Connecticut Huskies overpowered the San Diego State Aztecs 76-59 to win the men's NCAA collegiate basketball crown for the fifth time on Monday.

Tristen Newton scored 19 points and Malian power forward Adama Sanogo added 17 as the fourth-seeded Huskies dominated almost from start to finish to close out the victory at Houston's NRG Stadium.

Sanogo was named the tournament's outstanding player after the win.

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Jubilant Huskies head coach Dan Hurley said his team had played with a point to prove after starting the college season without a ranking.

"They buried us before the season, and they buried us in the mid-point -- we weren't ranked going into the year, so we had a chip on our shoulder," Hurley said. "But we knew the level we could play at even in those dark times. This means everything."

San Diego, who had fought back from a 14-point deficit to win Saturday's semi-final clash with Florida Atlantic, began brightly to lead 8-4 early in Monday's final.

ButUConndominated thereafter and opened up a 16-point lead after Joey Calcaterra's three-point jumper made it 36-20.

Although the Aztecs reduced the deficit to 12 points at half-time, trailing 36-24,UConnkept their opponents at arm's length after the break.

San Diego did manage to get within five points late in the game, cutting the Huskies lead to 60-55 to raise hopes of another comeback.

ButUConnpulled away once more to re-establish a double-digit lead in the final minutes and ultimately cruised to victory.

The Huskies title wasUConn's fifth after wins in 1999, 2004, 2011 and 2014.

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