No. 5 UConn early 2nd-half spurt overpowers Villanova

Alex Karaban scored eight of his 12 points in the second half as No. 5 UConn posted a 73-63 win over Villanova on Saturday in Philadelphia.

All five starters scored between nine and 12 points for the Huskies (25-3, 15-2 Big East), who bounced back nicely from a 91-84 loss to Creighton. Tarris Reed Jr. shot 5 of 5 from the field for 11 points, while Braylon Mullins pitched in 10 points.

The Huskies shot 54.9% from the floor and 11 of 13 from the free-throw line. They also dominated on the boards, outrebounding the Wildcats 37-24.

Tyler Perkins scored 15 points to pace Villanova (21-6, 12-4), which had won six straight games since losing to UConn last month. Matt Hodge chipped in with 13 points for the Wildcats, while Acaden Lewis scored 11 points -- all in the first half.

After leading by two at halftime, UConn created separation early in the second half. Mullins' 3-pointer began a 13-2 run that also included two buckets by Karaban and a 3-pointer by Solo Ball.

Villanova did not make a basket in the second half until Malachi Palmer scored with 14:35 left. Shortly thereafter, Hodge's 3-pointer brought the hosts within 49-41.

However, the Huskies' reserves responded with a quick 7-0 burst. Jaylin Stewart's 3-pointer began that surge before Eric Reibe and Malachi Smith each added a bucket to make it 56-41.

Reed's jumper with just under five minutes left sent the Huskies' lead north of 20 for the first time. Villanova scored 17 points down the stretch to make the final score a bit more respectable.

Neither team led by more than five during a first half that ended with the Huskies ahead 34-32. The teams combined to shoot 5 of 22 from 3-point range in the opening session.

UConn committed eight turnovers in the first half to offset an efficient 57.7% shooting effort.

Lewis (11 points) and Perkins (10) led all players in first-half scoring.