Iowa State falls in Sweet 16 to UCONN, 81-76

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Brian Achenbach/Iowa State Daily

Dustin Hogue throws the ball up for a shot during the Cyclones’ Sweet 16 game against the University of Connecticut. The Cyclones 81-76 lost to the Huskies on March 28 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Dean Berhow-Goll

NEW YORK — Iowa State’s run in the NCAA Tournament was cut short in the Sweet 16 at the hands of Connecticut on March 28 at Madison Square Garden, 81-76. 

Dustin Hogue carried Iowa State in his return home with a career-high 34 points on 15-of-19 shooting and grabbed six rebounds. 

The Huskies were led by Deandre Daniels who scored 23 points on 10-of-15 shooting and grabbed nine rebounds in the win.

The Huskies came out of gates in the first half white-hot, led by Shabazz Napier, who started 4-of-4 from behind the arc. The combination of Napier and guard Ryan Boatright totaled 22 points on 8-of-13 shooting in the first half while Iowa State’s DeAndre Kane and Melvin Ejim were held to 3-of-15 shooting. 

Kane finished with 16 and Ejim with three points on 2-of-12 shooting. The pair finished for a combined 9-of-31 shooting on the night and 23 points. 

At one point, the Huskies made 15-straight free throws and finished 20-of-22 while the Cyclones finished 6-of-15.

UConn advances to face the winner of Michigan State and Virginia in the Elite Eight on March 30.