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UConn takes down Syracuse

Connecticut's Hilton Armstrong throws down a dunk in the Huskies' victory over Syracuse. (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press
Connecticut's Hilton Armstrong throws down a dunk in the Huskies' victory over Syracuse. (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)

Charlie Villanueva experienced the ups and downs of college basketball in three days.

The sophomore forward had one of his worst games in Connecticut’s win over St. John’s on Saturday.

On Monday night, he had 21 points, 10 rebounds and several big plays to lead the 19th-ranked Huskies to a 74-66 victory over No. 8 Syracuse, ending the Orange’s 16-game home winning streak.

“This was a huge win for us,” he said. “For me personally, it was as huge as it gets. This was a big game in a tough place to play.”

Connecticut coach Jim Calhoun said Villanueva was in tears after scoring three points on 1-for-5 shooting in the home win over the Red Storm.

“I told him if he plays hard good things will happen for him and then for us,” Calhoun said.

Connecticut closed the game with a 9-1 run and Villanueva outscored Syracuse 7-5 over the final 8 minutes as the Huskies (15-5, 7-3 Big East) won for the fourth time in five games.

Hakim Warrick had 16 points for the foul-plagued Orange (21-3, 8-2), who had won all 14 home games this season. The last time Syracuse lost in the Carrier Dome was last Feb. 16 to Notre Dame.

(10) Oklahoma St. 79, (18) Oklahoma 67: JamesOn Curry and Joey Graham scored 22 points each as the Cowboys (18-4, 7-2 Big 12) beat the visiting Sooners (17-4, 7-3) to earn a split in the Bedlam rivalry this season.

Ivan McFarlin added 13 points and 10 rebounds and John Lucas III scored 12 of his 15 points in the second half for the Cowboys, who pulled away behind Curry’s sharpshooting and enthusiastic play.

(15) Utah 57, UNLV 53: Bryant Markson scored 19 points as the Utes (20-3, 8-0 Big West) overcame an off night by Andrew Bogut to defeat the Runnin’ Rebels (9-11, 2-6) in Las Vegas and stretch their winning streak to 15 games.

The Utes only led by one with less than a minute to play but closed the game by making four of six foul shots.

Bogut, forced to pick his spots, finished with 14 points, six below his average. The 7-foot sophomore was limited to five rebounds.

(22) Villanova 67, Saint Joseph’s 52: Jason Fraser had 14 points and 14 rebounds as the Wildcats (14-5) held off a late rally to beat the Hawks (11-9) in a non-league game in Philadelphia.

With the sweltering Palestra rocking in the latest meeting between these local rivals, the crowd at the famed home of the Big 5 saw another wild one in the series’ 84-year history.

Villanova used a full-court press, hustling guard play and the best game of the season from the oft-injured Fraser to take a 21-point lead midway through the second half. The Hawks cut the lead to nine but it was too little, too late.

Top 25 women

(8) North Carolina 76, Virginia 56: Ivory Latta scored 17 of her 22 points in the second half as the Tar Heels (19-3, 7-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) recovered from an early 17-5 deficit to knock off the Cavaliers (16-7, 5-4) in Charlottesville, Va.

(15) DePaul 67, Cincinnati 55: Allie Quigley scored 21 points as the visiting Blue Demons (19-3, 8-1 Conference USA) extended their winning streak to eight games with a win over the Bearcats (7-15, 2-7).