The UConn men's basketball team won its third national championship in 12 years Monday night when it defeated Butler, 53-41, in the NCAA championship game in Houston. The Huskies also won titles in 1999 and 2004.

Kemba Walker scored 18 points and Jeremy Lamb had 12 to lead the Huskies (31-9). The difference, however, was defense. UConn held Butler (28-9) to just 19 percent shooting, an all-time low in an NCAA championship game. Butler shot just 12-for-64 from the field.

The Huskies weren't much better, especially in the first half, when Butler scored just six field goals yet built a 22-19 halftime lead. UConn took control in the second half. Lamb scored all of his points in the second half. He also finished with seven rebounds. UConn's biggest lead was 14 points, 44-30, with 5:49 remaining.

Alex Oriakhi added 11 points and 11 rebounds for UConn, which held a 51-40 rebounding edge.

Jim Calhoun, 68, became the oldest coach to win an NCAA title. The Huskies finished the season with an 11-0 run, going 5-0 to win the Big East Tournament before going 6-0 in the NCAA Tournament.

"They are so special, our players, our university, our fans,''  Calhoun said on CBS after the game. "These kids have given me a year that any coach should get to have. This has been one of the best years of my life."

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