UConn vs Villanova: No. 2 Huskies Defeat Wildcats 75 to 67 in Overtime at Gampel Pavilion

No. 2 UConn extended its dominance in the Big East on Saturday night, outlasting Villanova 75 to 67 in overtime behind clutch shot making and a decisive late surge at Gampel Pavilion.

Solo Ball scored a game high 24 points for UConn, punctuating the performance with a critical three pointer in overtime that helped swing momentum for good. Alex Karaban added 17 points, all of them coming after halftime, as the Huskies improved to 19 and 1 overall and 9 and 0 in Big East play while extending their winning streak to 15 games.

UConn received balanced support beyond its top scorers. Silas Demary Jr. and Tarris Reed Jr. each finished with 10 points, with Reed delivering one of the game’s defining plays late in regulation. After Villanova took a two point lead on a Matthew Hodge three pointer with 1:06 remaining, Reed tied the game on a tip in that bounced on the rim before dropping, forcing overtime.

Villanova opened the extra period with a three pointer from Tyler Perkins, but that proved to be the Wildcats’ only field goal in overtime. UConn controlled the remainder of the session with defensive pressure and timely shooting, holding Villanova scoreless from the field the rest of the way. Perkins and Duke Brennan led the Wildcats with 16 points each as Villanova fell to 15 and 5 overall and 6 and 3 in conference play.

The second half featured a tense stretch that included a technical foul on UConn head coach Dan Hurley. With 15:06 left, Hurley was assessed the technical after no foul was called on a Karaban attempt in the paint, followed by Villanova drawing a foul on the other end.

Devin Askew converted both technical free throws and Acaden Lewis added two more at the line to give Villanova a 39 to 33 lead. Ball responded immediately, scoring 5 points during a 7 to 0 UConn run, capped by a three pointer at the 12:12 mark that gave the Huskies their first lead of the second half.

Villanova answered with back to back three pointers from Hodge and Askew and later used an 8 to 0 run fueled by two more Hodge threes to carry a 31 to 27 advantage into halftime. The Wildcats relied heavily on perimeter shooting to create separation, while UConn stayed within reach through rebounding and second chance points.

UConn did suffer a personnel scare early in the second half when freshman Braylon Mullins exited the game after appearing to take contact to the face as Lewis dribbled up the floor. No further update was provided during the game.

The win reinforces UConn’s position as the team to beat in the Big East, continuing a run that mirrors last season’s conference dominance under Hurley. For Villanova, the loss underscores the narrow margin against elite opponents and the need for sustained offensive execution late in games.

Up next, Villanova returns home to host Providence on Friday, while UConn remains at Gampel Pavilion to face Providence on Tuesday, with first place in the Big East firmly in the Huskies’ control.