No. 1 UConn (17-2, 7-1 Big East) utilized two 11-0 runs and a 13-0 run to push past Villanova Saturday night at the Wells Fargo Center, 66-65.
The Wildcats were able to keep it close by responding with four runs of six points or greater of their own, but ultimately could not keep pace with the Huskies.
The loss drops Villanova to 11-7 overall and 4-3 in Big East play.
Graduate guard Justin Moore and senior guard TJ Bamba led the Wildcats with 15 points each, while UConn graduate guard Tristen Newton led the game with 25. Redshirt senior forward Eric Dixon, sophomore guard Mark Armstrong and graduate forward Tyler Burton all contributed nine.
Moore was called for two offensive fouls on drives to the basket late in the game. One foul was committed while the ‘Cats were down three with 1:25 remaining. The other was committed with the ‘Cats down two with 19 seconds to play.
The late turnovers quelled the comeback effort put forth by the ‘Cats. The ‘Cats played a large portion of the game from behind, as the Huskies went on an 11-0 run over the opening 3:32 of the game. Villanova didn’t find its opening basket until nearly six minutes into the game.
The Wildcats were able to respond, as they went on an extended 18-5 run to go from down 11 to up two with 5:27 to play in the first half.
“I think we have to come out and throw the first punch,” Moore said. “That hurt us a lot this game. We all [can] look each other in the eye and know we fought until the end. I’m proud of that.”
The Huskies didn’t stop scoring in bunches. Huskies graduate guard Cam Spencer scored six in another 11-0 run late in the first half. It resulted in a nine point lead for the Huskies. The lead was cut to five before the half, 29-24.
Villanova held a four-point lead, its largest of the game, after a Burton three capped off a 9-0 run with 13:39 remaining. Spencer and Newton then combined for 11 points of a 13-0 run that changed the leading team for the final time.
“I was proud of our effort,” Villanova head coach Kyle Neptune said. “You take out that first run… those things are going to happen, but I was proud of our intensity throughout. I thought we came out and played hard. Runs are going to happen, even if you come out and guard guys perfectly, they can make tough shots.”
The ‘Cats were able to tie the game at 54 after a 7-0 run, and again at 58 after the two teams traded baskets. A crucial three-pointer from Huskies redshirt sophomore forward Alex Karban gave the Huskies a three-point advantage that they wouldn’t relinquish.
Both teams were held scoreless for over two minutes in the final three. Villanova’s inability to score late in the game led to it needing to trap and foul to have a chance to win. However, the Huskies went 5-of-6 from the free-throw line in the final 30 seconds to seal the game.
Armstrong hit a half-court heave as time expired, but with the Huskies up four, all he could do was bring the game within one.
“Unfortunately they outlasted us.” Neptune said.
Villanova will see its next action on Wednesday, Jan. 24 when it travels to Madison Square Garden to face St. John’s (12-7, 4-4 Big East). The game is scheduled to tip off at 8:30 P.M.
The ‘Cats will look to split the season series with the Red Storm, as St. John’s beat Villanova at the Finneran Pavilion on Jan. 6, 81-71.
