The Villanova Wildcats put an finish to the ninth-ranked UConn Huskies’ eight-game successful streak with a 68-66 win on Wednesday night time.
Villanova led 46-34 with 15:09 left within the recreation earlier than a late UConn run gave the Huskies a quick lead.
The distinction within the recreation was free-throw taking pictures. UConn was 2-of-4 with each misses coming from junior ahead Alex Karaban with three seconds remaining. As a substitute of the Huskies taking a 68-67 lead, Villanova senior guard Wooga Poplar made one among his two free throw makes an attempt earlier than Karaban didn’t get this heave from past half-court to go as time expired.
Villanova made 12 of its 13 free throws. Senior ahead Eric Dixon, the nation’s main scorer (25.9 PPG) led the best way once more with 23 factors for a Wildcats group that shot 43.6% from the ground.
4 of UConn’s 5 starters scored in double figures. Sophomore guard Solo Ball scored a team-high 16 factors (6-of-14 FG). Ball hit 4 of the group’s 10 threes, together with this one from the nook that put the Huskies within the lead with lower than 9 minutes to play.
Regardless of UConn outrebounding Villanova 32-23, the Huskies suffered their first convention lack of the season. UConn (12-4, 4-1 Huge East) will attempt to rebound at Georgetown on Saturday.
After a 3-4 begin to the season, Villanova (11-5, 4-1 Huge East) has gained eight of its final 9 video games. The Wildcats will attempt to hold the momentum rolling with a impartial web site recreation at Madison Sq. Backyard in opposition to St. John’s on Saturday and a street recreation at Xavier on Tuesday.