Villanova defeats UConn basketball no. 9 in a relaxed thriller

Villanova upset No. 9 UConn, 68-66, in a nail-biter Wednesday night in a raucous Finneran Pavilion. The Wildcats (10-5, 4-1 Big East) held a 32-25 halftime advantage by forcing nine first-half turnovers and limiting UConn’s high-octane offense to a 37 percent clip from three-point range.

Eric Dixon led Villanova with 23 points, knocking down a pair of three-pointers and going 9-for-9 at the free throw line. Wooga Poplar chipped in 18 points, while Jordan Longino added 12 – including a critical block in the final minute. The Wildcats shot 92.3 percent (12-of-13) at the charity stripe and converted timely defensive stops into points, controlling momentum in the waning moments.

UConn (12-3, 4-1Big East) stormed back from an 11-point deficit in the second half behind Solo Ball and Jaylin Stewart. Ball scored 16 points, including four three-pointers, while Stewart added 14. The Huskies jumped out to a brief late lead thanks to a 13-2 run, but Villanova responded as Dixon’s offense around the rim and Poplar’s perimeter play lifted the Wildcats to a three-point pillow.

A potential tying three-pointer and two late free throw attempts slipped through UConn’s hands in the final seconds. Villanova held on as Alex Karaban missed a pair of foul shots with three seconds left. The Wildcats next host St. John’s as the Huskies look to regroup after suffering their first conference loss.