Connecticut blitzes Gonzaga to reach the Final Four
The Connecticut Huskies used a dominant second-half performance to punch their ticket to the Final Four on Sunday, as they topped the Gonzaga Bulldogs 74-63 in the Elite Eight.
The Huskies used a balanced attack to take control in the second half, led by freshman forward James Bouknight, who scored a game-high 25 points. Bouknight was the catalyst for a 20-0 run late in the second half which put the game out of reach for the Bulldogs. Senior guard Christian Vital was also instrumental in the victory, adding 16 points and seven assists.
The Bulldogs, who came into the game as the top-ranked team in the nation, were led by sophomore forward Corey Kispert, who scored 18 points. Senior guard Josh Perkins also had a solid performance, finishing with 15 points and six assists.
The Huskies were in control from the start, opening up a double-digit lead early in the first half. Gonzaga was able to trim the deficit to seven at halftime, but the Huskies opened the second half on an 8-0 run and never looked back.
The Huskies defense was the key to their victory, as they held the Bulldogs to just 39.3 percent shooting from the field, including just 28.6 percent from beyond the arc. Connecticut also outrebounded Gonzaga 33-27 and forced 18 turnovers.
The Huskies will now face the winner of Monday night's Elite Eight matchup between Baylor and Oregon in the Final Four. Connecticut is looking to make their first Final Four appearance since 2014, when they won the national championship.
