No. 25 UConn defeats North Carolina-Wilmington 86-50

STORRS, Conn. (AP) — Junior Adama Sanogo scored 24 points to lead No. 25 UConn to an 86-50 victory over the University of North Carolina-Wilmington on Friday night.

Sophomore Jordan Hawkins returned from concussion protocol to add a career-high 20 points for the unbeaten Huskies (4-0). Hawkins was 5 of 8 on 3-pointers. Freshman Alex Karaban finished with 12 points.

The Seahawks (1-3) were led by Shykeim Phillips and Jamarii Thomas, who each had 16 points.

The Huskies led 40-28 at the half with 17 points coming from Sanogo and 11 from Hawkins. After battling foul trouble and scoring a season-low 11 points against Buffalo, Sanogo was dominant inside, hitting 6 of 9 shots in the half and 8 for 12 overall, with two misses coming on 3-pointers.

Hawkins returned to the lineup after missing two games with a concussion, which he suffered in the season opener against Stonehill. The sophomore went 3 for 3 on 3-pointers in the opening half and scored six of the Huskies’ final nine points on a trey and a three-point play.

The second half was all UConn, which outscored the Seahawks 26-6 in the opening 10 minutes to take a commanding 32-point lead, 66-34.

BIG PICTURE:

UNC-Wilmington has struggled against top-tier programs early in the season, but the schedule gets a bit easier from here.

UConn continues to roll along against mid-major programs as it builds some momentum going into the Phil Knight Invitational next week in Portland.

UP NEXT:

The Seahawks wrapped up their two-game road trip and will host Mount Olive on Monday before heading to The Bahamas for the Baha Mar Hoops.

The Huskies closeout a five-game home stand with Delaware State on Sunday in Hartford.

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