The University of Connecticut men’s basketball team claimed the Empire Regular Season Championship with a close 81-71 win over No. 15 Texas on Monday night at Madison Square Garden. Sophomore guard Andre Calaban scored 20 points for the Huskies, including six consecutive points in the final five minutes, to help Connecticut hold off a Texas rally.
The fifth-ranked Huskies, who are now 5-0, increased their winning streak at Madison Square Garden to 11 games, with their last win coming in the 2013 2K Sports Classic when Shabazz Napier led his team to an 85-77 victory over Indiana University.
Connecticut got off to a hot start, hitting nine of its first 12 shots and four of five from three-point range to take a 24-11 lead eight minutes into the first half. Sophomore forward Samson Johnson came off the bench for struggling starter Triston Newton and provided a spark with a career-high 15 points, eight rebounds and two caps.
In the second half, Texas cut Connecticut’s lead to 16 points, led by Dillon Mitchell’s 21 points and 50 percent shooting from the field. However, Calaban helped the Huskies maintain their advantage with a pair of key three-pointers. Calaban scored 12 points in the second half, showing his ability to step up when needed.
Newton was named the Empire’s regular season MVP after scoring a 23-point double-double in Sunday’s win over Indiana, contributing eight points, four rebounds and eight assists. Junior guard Cam Spencer had 16 points, five rebounds and five assists.
Connecticut’s win over Texas solidified its dominance of the Empire regular season and extended its overall record against the Longhorns to 10-2. The Huskies now look to continue their good start in preparation for the upcoming Maui Invitational.