UConn uses late run to beat Villanova 73-56 in Big East Conference Tournament quarterfinal

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Fans watch as Villanova’s Jhamir Brickus (2) runs to defend a three-point shot by UConn’s Aidan Mahaney (20) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Big East basketball tournament Thursday, March 13, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

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UConn’s Samson Johnson (35) shoots over Villanova’s Eric Dixon (43) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Big East basketball tournament Thursday, March 13, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

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UConn’s Samson Johnson (35) dunks the ball in front of Villanova’s Eric Dixon (43) and Jhamir Brickus (2) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Big East basketball tournament Thursday, March 13, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

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UConn’s Liam McNeeley (30) drives past Villanova’s Eric Dixon (43) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Big East basketball tournament Thursday, March 13, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

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Villanova’s Jhamir Brickus (2) defends UConn’s Solo Ball (1) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Big East basketball tournament Thursday, March 13, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

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UConn head coach Dan Hurley argues for a call during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Villanova at the Big East basketball tournament Thursday, March 13, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

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UConn’s Alex Karaban (11) drives past Villanova’s Eric Dixon (43) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Big East basketball tournament Thursday, March 13, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

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UConn’s Tarris Reed Jr. (5) dunks the ball in front of Villanova’s Wooga Poplar (5) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Big East basketball tournament Thursday, March 13, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

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UConn’s Liam McNeeley (30) shoots over Villanova’s Jhamir Brickus during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Big East basketball tournament Thursday, March 13, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

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Villanova’s Wooga Poplar (5) gestures after making a three-point shot during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against the UConn at the Big East basketball tournament Thursday, March 13, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

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UConn’s Liam McNeeley (30) looks to pass during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Villanova at the Big East basketball tournament Thursday, March 13, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

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Villanova’s Jhamir Brickus (2) and Enoch Boakye (13) defend a shot by UConn’s Alex Karaban (11) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Big East basketball tournament Thursday, March 13, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

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UConn’s Samson Johnson (35) fights for control of the ball with Villanova’s Eric Dixon (43) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Big East basketball tournament Thursday, March 13, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

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Villanova’s Eric Dixon (43), Tyler Perkins (4), Jhamir Brickus (2) and Wooga Poplar (5) watch as UConn’s Tarris Reed Jr. (5) dunks the ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Big East basketball tournament Thursday, March 13, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

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UConn’s Solo Ball (1) shoots over Villanova’s Jordan Longino (15) as Eric Dixon (43) and Enoch Boakye (13) defend during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Big East basketball tournament Thursday, March 13, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

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UConn head coach Dan Hurley celebrates during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Villanova at the Big East basketball tournament Thursday, March 13, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

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Villanova’s Jordan Longino (15) shoots over UConn’s Jaylin Stewart (3) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Big East basketball tournament Thursday, March 13, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

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Villanova’s Jhamir Brickus (2) defends UConn’s Hassan Diarra (10) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Big East basketball tournament Thursday, March 13, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

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UConn head coach Dan Hurley calls out to his team during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Villanova at the Big East basketball tournament Thursday, March 13, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

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UConn’s Alex Karaban (11) celebrates with head coach Dan Hurley during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Villanova at the Big East basketball tournament Thursday, March 13, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

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UConn head coach Dan Hurley, right, hugs Villanova head coach Kyle Neptune after an NCAA college basketball game at the Big East basketball tournament Thursday, March 13, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

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UConn’s Hassan Diarra (10) celebrates after teammate Samson Johnson scored during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Villanova at the Big East basketball tournament Thursday, March 13, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

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UConn’s Alex Karaban (11) gestures after making a three-point shot during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Villanova at the Big East basketball tournament Thursday, March 13, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

NEW YORK (AP) — Alex Karaban scored 15 of his 18 points in the second half to help Connecticut rally for a 73-56 victory over Villanova in a Big East Conference Tournament quarterfinal at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night.

The third-seeded Huskies (23-9) move on to play No. 2 seed Creighton in a Friday semifinal. The Bluejays had to go to a second overtime before beating 10th-seeded DePaul 85-81. The Blue Demons were aiming for the school’s first semifinal appearance in the tournament. Top-seeded and sixth-ranked St. John’s plays No. 5 seed Marquette in the other semifinal.

UConn didn’t take the lead in the second half until Karaban made two free throws for a 49-48 advantage with 9:09 remaining. Eric Dixon had a three-point play to tie the game at 51 with eight minutes left. Karaban hit a 3-pointer to cap a 7-0 run and the Huskies outscored the Wildcats 22-5 down the stretch.

Wooga Poplar scored 15 on 7-for-9 shooting to lead sixth-seeded Villanova to a 36-31 advantage at halftime. The Wildcats missed 19 of 24 shots after the break.

Villanova’s Eric Dixon needed 17 points to break Kerry Kittles’ school record of 2,243 career points. He finished with eight on 2-for-15 shooting and will have to hope the Wildcats earn a spot in a postseason tournament to break it.

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Karaban finished a rebound shy of a double-double for UConn. Liam McNeeley totaled 12 points and seven rebounds. Samson Johnson didn’t miss a shot and matched Solo Ball with 11 points.

Poplar led all scorers with 25 points. Jordan Longino added 10 points for Villanova.

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