WASHINGTON (AP) — Kemba Walker had 18 points, a career-high 12 assists and eight rebounds, and No. 3 seed Connecticut cruised past Bucknell 81-52 Thursday night to earn coach Jim Calhoun his 850th career victory.
Roscoe Smith scored 17 for the Huskies (27-9), who showed no signs of fatigue after winning five games in five days last week to capture the Big East tournament. Connecticut led by 17 at halftime and upped the margin to 32 with just over 15 minutes left.
Walker’s 12 assists were a school record for an NCAA tournament game.
The Huskies will next face the winner of Thursday night’s West regional game between Cincinnati and Missouri.
Mike Muscala scored 14 points for 14th-seeded Bucknell (25-9). The Patriot League champions came in with a 10-game winning streak and on a 19-1 roll, but proved no match for Connecticut’s quickness, size and athleticism.
