HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Jordan Hawkins scored 22 points to lead No. 2 UConn past Villanova 74-66 on Wednesday night.
Freshman Alex Karaban added 15 points and Andre Jackson Jr. had 10 for the Huskies (14-0, 3-0 Big East).
The win allowed the Huskies to tie the start of the 1953-54 team for third best. Only two have fared better with the 1998-99 team’s 19-0 mark at the top of the list. It was also the first season UConn won a national championship.
Hawkins scored in double figures for the sixth straight time and had his fourth 20-point game of the season.
Caleb Daniels led Villanova (7-6, 1-1) with 23 points, Eric Dixon added 18 and Brandon Slater added 10.
A 16-3 run early in the second half helped the Huskies create some separation, taking a 49-39 lead with 12:13 left. Daniels’ layup gave Villanova a 36-33 lead, but 3-pointers from Hawkins and Karaban followed by a Jackson dunk sparked the home team’s surge.
THE BIG PICTURE
The Wildcats had their five-game win streak come to an end.
The Huskies are in the meat of their conference schedule with trips to Xavier and Providence coming up before hosting Big East preseason favorite Creighton.
UP NEXT
Villanova: Hosts Marquette on Saturday.
UConn: At No. 22 Xavier on Saturday.