Sanogo and Clingan too much inside, but Skyhawks hang in for Division I debut

Burnett totaled 12 points, six rebounds, three steals and an assist for the Skyhawks (PHOTO BY Brian Foley)

HARTFORD, Conn. (November 7, 2022) – The University of Connecticut held Stonehill College to 25-percent shooting in the first half to build a 19-point halftime lead on its way to an 85-54 victory in the NCAA Division I debut for the Skyhawks inside the XL Center tonight.

Stonehill, which accepted an invitation to join the Northeast Conference (NEC) in April and started its four-year transition to full NCAA Division I membership in July, hung in in its Division I debut against the bigger UConn team. The Skyhawks were limited to 25-percent (6-for-24) shooting in the first half, but rebounded to connect at 47.6% (10-for-21) in the second. The Huskies took full advantage of a 46-22 scoring advantage in the point, finishing with eight blocked shots and forcing 24 Stonehill turnovers. 

Leaders

Stonehill

Sims added 12 points on 5-of-10 shooting for the Skyhawks (PHOTO BY Brian Foley)

Andrew Sims Fifth-year, Forward: 12 points (5-for-10), a rebound, assist and steal.

Isaiah Burnett Fifth-year, Guard: 12 points (6-for-9 FTs, 3-for-4 FGs), six rebounds, three steals and an assist.

Max Zegarowski Postgrad, Forward: Eight points (2-for-3, 2-for-3 threes) in his Stonehill debut. 

UConn

Adama Sanogo Junior, Forward: Game-high 19 points (8-for-11), six rebounds, assist, block and steal.

Alex Karaban  Freshman, Forward: 13 points, four rebounds, three assists and a steal.

Hassan Diarra Junior, Guard: 11 points (5-for-9), five rebounds, seven assists, three steals.

Donovan Clingan Freshman, Center: Nine points, seven rebounds, four blocked shots. 

How it Happened

• UConn jumped out to a quick eight-point lead (10-2) after a layup from senior Nahiem Alleyne three and a half minutes into the game with an 8-0 spurt keyed by four points from Sanogo.
• Freshman Chas Stinson drained a corner three-pointer to halt the UConn run and pull the Skyhawks back within five (10-5) with the Skyhawks first Division I basket.

• Johnson made his first collegiate start in the 27th game of his career to start his fifth-year season (PHOTO BY Brian Foley)

  UConn powered forward though, extending its lead to 11 (16-5) after two free-throws from senior Tristen Newton eight minutes into the game.
• The Huskies lead grew to 16 following a Karaban three-pointer and Sanogo hook shot with 7:17 remaining in the first half.
• UConn's lead extended to 22 (33-11) after a fastbreak dunk by Clingan, but Stonehill was able to close within 18 (35-17) with a Zegarowski three-pointer just before the half.
• UConn carried a 19-point lead (38-19) into halftime and then stretched that advantage to 27 (51-24) after a three-pointer by sophomore Samson Johnson just before the first media timeout of the second half.
• Stonehill wouldn't led its deficit get out of hand, weathering another UConn run, by pulling within 21 after two Burnett free-throws with 13-minutes left.
• Stonehill played even with the Huskies for much of the remainder of the game.
• UConn stretched its lead out to 30 (74-44) with a Karaban basket with 6:30 left, but the Skyhawks held and pulled back within 24 (77-53) after two more Burnett free-throws with 3:23 to go, before the Huskies made one last late push to produce the final margin.

Noteworthy

• Postgrad Cole Bergan scored the first Division I point in Stonehill history with two free-throws a minute into the game that knotted the score at 2-2.
• Sims reached double-figures in scoring for the 30^th time in his collegiate career.
• Stonehill had six players make their Skyhawks debut tonight, with three starting and five playing more than five minutes.
• Fifth-year Shamir Johnson made his first career start for Stonehill tonight, in his 27^th career game, chipping in four points and four boards in front of his hometown crowd.

Noteworthy

Stonehill (0-1, 0-0 NEC) is back in action on Thursday, when it hosts Quinnipiac University in its first Division I home debut at Merkert Gymnasium at 7 p.m. UConn (1-0, 0-0 BIG EAST) hosts Boston University on Friday at 6 p.m.

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