ARLINGTON, Tex. — The Connecticut Huskies had seen this script before, but they decided on a different ending.
The Huskies captured their second national championship in four years Monday night, staving off a comeback bid by Kentucky and beating the young Wildcats, 60-54.
UConn led by as many as 15 points in the first half, but the Wildcats, who had rallied from early deficits in their last three games, drew within a point in the second half and had momentum on their side.
But the Huskies shot 10 for 10 from the free-throw line and never gave up the lead. Kentucky, with its five freshmen starters, shot just 54 percent from the line, missing 11 of 24 free throws.
UConn's backcourt tandem — Shabazz Napier Ryan Boatright — combined for 36 points, including four 3-pointers by Napier.
11:20 P.M. UConn Wins the National Championship
UConn wins 60-54. It's second national title in four years.
— Steve Eder
11:14 P.M. Free Throw Misses Are Hurting Wildcats
Kentucky is shooting just 54% from the the free throw line on 13 of 24 shooting. That's a lot of points left on the board in a tight game.
— Steve Eder
11:06 P.M. Breathing Room For Huskies
Two huge threes for UConn on back-to-back positions give the Huskies some much-needed breathing room.
— Steve Eder
11:02 P.M. Kentucky Hasn't Taken the Lead
Kentucky has never led in this game, although it has been hanging so close for much of this second half. Think they can finally break through?
— Steve Eder
10:57 P.M. Kentucky Playing Defense
Kentucky's zone has really done a good job nullifying UConn's slashing ability and slowed down Napier and Boatright, who looked all but unstoppable in the first half. One thing to note, however: Kentucky has left 8 points on the board with missed free-throws. That could really come back to haunt them.
— Zach Schonbrun
10:47 P.M. UConn's Guards Have Cooled Off
Shabazz Napier and Ryan Boatright have cooled off in the second half, combining for just 4 points for Connecticut. The pair scored 23 in the first 20 minutes. Still, Connecticut has expanded its lead to 5.
— Steve Eder
10:40 P.M. Kentucky Fans are Getting Loud
In case you can't tell at home, the very large crowd at AT&T Stadium is decidedly backing Kentucky.
— Steve Eder
10:38 P.M. Kentucky Comes Out Firing
We have got ourselves a game. Kentucky comes out of the locker room with a lot more energy and confidence and they've cut the UConn lead to 1. The Harrison twins have combined for 15 points.
— Zach Schonbrun
10:25 P.M. Will the Comeback Cats Strike Again?
Kentucky has made a habit of falling behind in this tournament, particularly in the first half. They fell way behind Louisville in the Sweet 16 – 13 points – only to come back and win. They also gave heads starts to Wichita State, Michigan and Wisconsin, before of course coming back and winning all of those games close. The championship game feels familiar, with Kentucky falling back 15 early, only to make a big run before halftime, making it a 4 point game. Which Kentucky will we see in the second half?
— Steve Eder
10:16 P.M. Halftime Adjustments?
What adjustments would you make if you were John Calipari? Or, asked a different way, how does Connecticut make sure it maintains its lead? Anybody have any suggestions or are you all too mesmerized by Willie Cauley-Stein's shirt? (we don't blame you)
— Zach Schonbrun
10:05 P.M. And It's Close at the Half
After all that – Kentucky trails Connecticut by just 4 points at the half. Connecticut led by as much as 15, but Kentucky came back furiously over the final minutes of the half. Kentucky has come back before in this tournament. It'll set up as an exciting second half.
— Steve Eder
10:01 P.M. Kentucky Is Showing Signs of Life
Kentucky was trailing by 30-15 and things were looking bleak. But the Wildcats have now gone on an 11-3 run. Calipari switched to a zone defense and that has been effective slowing down the Huskies a bit. Three-pointers by James Young and Andrew Harrison also helped.
— Zach Schonbrun
9:49 P.M. Wildcats Need Some Defense
A couple of jumpers by Andrew Harrison provide Kentucky with their first points from outside. But the Wildcats' issue now is defensively. UConn's sets are absolutely cutting the young Cats up right now.
— Zach Schonbrun
9:45 P.M. UConn Guards Staying Hot
Connecticut's backcourt of Shabazz Napier and Ryan Boatright has been well-celebrated over the past couple weeks with the duo coming up big in UConn's string of upsets. The pair is off to another good start – combining to score 16 of UConn's first 24 points.
Each has 8 points – Napier has added two steals and Boatright has three rebounds.
— Steve Eder
9:41 P.M. Who Are Those Guys With Tony Romo?
Former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton in suite, and #Romo scored the photobomb #CBSDFWFinalFour http://t.co/5KbqGOwxEM
— CBSDFW (@CBSDFW) 8 Apr 14
9:39 P.M. Randle Appears to Be Cramping
CBS says Julius Randle is cramping. He's been coming in and out of the game. That is not good news for Kentucky.
— Zach Schonbrun
9:34 P.M. UConn Sprints Ahead
Well, Ryan Boatright came to play. Actually all of UConn looks sharp. Huskies shooting 7 of 13 and are currently on a 11-2 run. Kentucky is having a hard time against this defense. But then again, Kentucky has been a slow-starting team all postseason
— Zach Schonbrun
9:25 P.M. Working Out Some Early Nerves
Looks to be some early jitters from both teams. Julius Randle left the court after just 2 minutes 50 seconds, probably so Calipari could get him settled a bit. Kentucky has been sloppy with the ball, and the Cats' point guard Andrew Harrison is definitely going to have to tighten up a bit against UConn's pestering guards.
— Zach Schonbrun
9:18 P.M. The Championship Game Is On
And we've tipped off here in Arlington. UConn takes the first shot – and misses. But scores on its second attempt.
— Steve Eder
9:11 P.M. Calipari to the Lakers?
We haven't even tipped, but already some Kentucky news has set the Twitter world abuzz.
About two and a half hours ago, Rex Chapman, the former Wildcats star turned television analyst, wrote on Twitter that a move by John Calipari to the Los Angeles Lakers after the season, win or lose, is a "done deal."
Naturally, this has quickly become just about the one-and-only topic Kentucky fans are talking about before the game. Certainly Calipari-to-the-N.B.A. rumors are nothing new. But the timing of this latest one could not be worse for the Wildcats.
Here's the tweet: https://twitter.com/rexchapman/status/453315509589528576
— Zach Schonbrun
8:56 P.M. There's a Lot of People Wearing Blue
Connecticut and Kentucky fans are filing into AT&T Stadium, and it is difficult to get a clear read on which side is better represented because just about everyone here is wearing blue.
The skies cleared in Arlington, tonight in time for the final night of the Final Four. Fans were even tailgating in the parking lot. Some were tossing around baseballs.
It's a nice night for a basketball game.
— Steve Eder
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