NEW YORK – Tristen Newton (El Paso, Texas) dazzled with 23 points, 11 rebounds and six assists to lead the No. 5 UConn men's basketball team (4-0) to a 77-57 victory over Indiana (3-1) in the Semifinals of the Saatva Empire Classic on Sunday at Madison Square Garden. The Huskies advance to the title game, where they will face either Texas or Louisville on Monday night.

Newton's double-double was his first since the national title game a season ago and came on another big stage in UConn's toughest non-conference test thus far. He was supported in double-figures by Cam Spencer (Davidsonville, Md.) who scored 18 and grabbed five rebounds and Alex Karaban (Southborough, Mass.) who chipped in 13 points and six boards.

How it Happened

The Huskies took their largest lead of the first half at 35-21 late in the frame, but the Hoosiers closed the opening stanza on a 9-2 run to cut UConn's lead to 37-30 at the half. UConn opened the second half sharp, scoring the first seven points to stretch its lead back to 14. Again, the Hoosiers answered, using a 7-0 run of their own to pull back within 44-37.

The sides played even over a large chunk of the second half, before a 10-0 run for the Huskies pushed their lead to the largest of the day at 68-48 and forced a timeout with five minutes to play. From there, the Huskies cruised to the 20-point victory.

Inside the Numbers

• The Huskies shot 44.6 percent from the floor while holding the Hoosiers to a 37.8 percent mark
• UConn was dominant on the glass, out-rebounding IU 44-22. Newton led the way with 11 caroms and Donovan Clingan (Bristol, Conn.) grabbed nine
• The Huskies assisted on 19 of their 25 made field goals, with Newton and Hassan Diarra (Queens, N.Y.) each dishing out six assists
• UConn grabbed 15 offensive rebounds and finished 16-0 in second chance points

News and Notes

• Newton's double-double was the first for a Husky this season and his first since last year's National Championship game – it was also the sixth of his career
• UConn improves to 7-4 all-time against Indiana
• Head coach Dan Hurley is now 12-3 at UConn in in-season MTE play
• Hurley also improved to 7-6 at UConn inside Madison Square Garden
• The Huskies have now won 21 straight games against non-conference opponents, with each of those wins coming by double-figures
• Newton and Karaban have each scored in double-figures in all four games this year

Up Next

The Huskies are back at Madison Square Garden on Monday night, playing in the championship game of the Saatva Empire Classic at 7 p.m. on ESPNU. The Huskies will face either Louisville or Texas.