(*5*)Feb 21, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; UConn Huskies guard Solo Ball (1) dunks the ball towards the Villanova Wildcats in the course of the first half at Xfinity Cell Enviornment. Necessary Credit score: Invoice Streicher-Imagn Photographs Alex Karaban scored eight of his 12 factors within the second half as No. 5 UConn posted a 73-63 win over Villanova on Saturday in Philadelphia.
All 5 starters scored between 9 and 12 factors for the Huskies (25-3, 15-2 Massive East), who bounced again properly from a 91-84 loss to Creighton. Tarris Reed Jr. shot 5 of 5 from the sphere for 11 factors, whereas Braylon Mullins pitched in 10 factors.
The Huskies shot 54.9% from the ground and 11 of 13 from the free-throw line. In addition they dominated on the boards, outrebounding the Wildcats 37-24.
Tyler Perkins scored 15 factors to tempo Villanova (21-6, 12-4), which had received six straight video games since dropping to UConn final month. Matt Hodge chipped in with 13 factors for the Wildcats, whereas Acaden Lewis scored 11 factors — all within the first half.
After main by two at halftime, UConn created separation early within the second half. Mullins’ 3-pointer started a 13-2 run that additionally included two buckets by Karaban and a 3-pointer by Solo Ball.
Villanova didn’t make a basket within the second half till Malachi Palmer scored with 14:35 left. Shortly thereafter, Hodge’s 3-pointer introduced the hosts inside 49-41.
Nonetheless, the Huskies’ reserves responded with a fast 7-0 burst. Jaylin Stewart’s 3-pointer started that surge earlier than Eric Reibe and Malachi Smith every added a bucket to make it 56-41.
Reed’s jumper with just below 5 minutes left despatched the Huskies’ lead north of 20 for the primary time. Villanova scored 17 factors down the stretch to make the ultimate rating a bit extra respectable.
Neither crew led by greater than 5 throughout a primary half that ended with the Huskies forward 34-32. The groups mixed to shoot 5 of twenty-two from 3-point vary within the opening session.
UConn dedicated eight turnovers within the first half to offset an environment friendly 57.7% taking pictures effort.
Lewis (11 factors) and Perkins (10) led all gamers in first-half scoring.
–Discipline Degree Media
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