UConn's Ryan Boatright (11) congratulates Daniel Hamilton (5) after a made basket in the second half of the first round of the 2015 American Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Tournament at the XL Center in Hartford, CT.

UConn’s Ryan Boatright (11) congratulates Daniel Hamilton (5) after a made basket in the second half of the first round of the 2015 American Athletic Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament at the XL Center in Hartford, CT.

UConn men’s basketball freshman Daniel Hamilton had an eventful day on Thursday.

In the morning, he was named the American Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year. Then in the evening, he led his team in scoring and to a victory.

Behind Hamilton’s 20 points, the UConn Huskies beat the USF Bulls 69-43 in the first round of the American Athletic Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament at the XL Center in Hartford, CT.

The No. 6 seed Huskies advance to the quarterfinals of the tourney to face the No. 3 seed, the Cincinnati Bearcats. The two teams split their two games earlier this season. Tip is scheduled for approximately 9 p.m.

Rodney Purvis added 13 points while Ryan Boatright had 12 points and three assists. Amida Brimah and Omar Calhoun each had nine points with Brimah adding five blocked shots.

Phil Nolan led UConn with a career-high tying seven rebounds.

USF was paced by Nehemias Morillo‘s 13 points. Troy Holston, Jr. was the only member of the Bulls to hit double figures with 12. Ruben Guerrero added seven rebounds to go along with his six points.

UConn Huskies vs USF Bulls 3/12/15 American Athletic Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament box score

Here are UConn’s postgame quotes.

Here are USF’s postgame quotes.

Here are the postgame notes from the American Athletic Conference.