UConn dominates in second half to avoid upset against Iona

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Adama Sanogo scored 10 of his 28 points in the first five minutes of the second half as fourth-seeded UConn took control and beat Rick Pitino’s Iona Gaels 87-63 Friday in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

The Huskies (26-8) advanced to play fifth-seeded Saint Mary's Sunday in the West Region after losing in the first round under coach Dan Hurley the last two seasons.

Iona (27-8) had its 14-game winning streak snapped as the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference champion didn't have the depth to keep up with one of the Big East's best for 40 minutes.

Walter Clayton Jr. led the Gaels with 14 points.

Now the question is: What's next for the Gaels' Hall of Fame coach?

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Head coach Dan Hurley of the Connecticut Huskies reacts with his team after a play in the first half against the Iona Gaels during the first round of the NCAA Tournament at MVP Arena March 17, 2023, in Albany, N.Y. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Rick Pitino was coaching in his 24th NCAA Tournament and maybe his last with Iona. The 70-year-old seems to be in line for another high-profile job, with St. John’s as the apparent front-runner to land the two-time national champion.

UConn trailed by a point at half but came out of the break clicking. A four-point play by Jordan Hawkins immediately gave the Huskies the lead, and then Sanogo went to work inside.

The 245-pound junior had a dunk, a hook, a couple of layups and two free throws, scoring 10 of the Huskies' next 13 points as they grabbed a 54-43 lead.

The Gaels never really threatened again. Sanogo's turnaround jumper from the baseline with 6:49 left made it 71-57, and the