Connecticut Turns Back Texas, 77-67

Albert Mouring was perfect from long range as Connecticut built a 17-point lead, then Khalid El-Amin made the big plays down the stretch as the fifth-ranked Huskies beat No. 15 Texas, 77-67, Monday night at Hartford, Conn.

The Huskies (12-2) were making their first appearance at the Hartford Civic Center since losing there last Wednesday to Notre Dame, a loss that dropped them three spots in the top 25.

Connecticut built a 56-39 lead with 12:35 to play in a physical game that featured a lot of whistles and little action.

Mouring’s fifth three-point basket in as many attempts gave the Huskies their biggest lead and it seemed they would coast to the win.

But the Longhorns (9-4) went on a 15-3 run and were within 59-54 with 4:46 left on two free throws by Ivan Wagner.

That’s when El-Amin, the point guard who led Connecticut to the national championship last season, took over and was responsible for scores on the next three possessions.

He found freshman Tony Robertson on the break for a layup that made the score 61-54. After Chris Mihm scored for Texas, El-Amin and Connecticut center Jake Voskuhl worked a nice screen and roll play that saw the center dunk for a 63-56 lead.

Texas again answered on a hook shot by Mihm, but El-Amin extended the lead by working the same screen and roll with Voskuhl only this time the guard didn’t pass to the center and instead made a three-point shot for a 66-58 lead with 3:01 to play.

Mouring finished with 21 points, one off his career high, while El-Amin had 14 points and eight assists. Voskuhl had nine points and 11 rebounds in his matchup with Mihm.

OTHER GAMES

St. John’s 75, Georgetown 66--Erick Barkley scored 22 points as the Red Storm (11-2, 3-0) won a Big East Conference game at New York.

Lavor Postell had 17 points and 10 rebounds for the St. John’s, who have won their last 10 home games. Kevin Braswell led the Hoyas (8-6, 0-3) with 18 points.

WOMEN

No. 2 Tennessee 79, Arkansas 69--Kara Lawson scored a career-high 25 points to lead the Lady Vols (12-2, 2-0) in a Southeastern Conference game at Knoxville, Tenn. Arkansas (9-4, 0-1) was led by Wendi Willits with 16 points.

No. 4 Louisiana Tech 90, South Alabama 33--Leon Barmore became the 15th women’s coach to reach the 500-win mark in a Sun Belt Conference game at Ruston, La. Tamicha Jackson scored 17 points for Louisiana Tech (11-2, 2-0). Taneshia Russell led South Alabama (5-7, 0-1) with 10.

No. 6 Penn State 82, Minnesota 30--The Nittany Lions (13-2, 4-0) held the Golden Gophers (7-7, 1-3) to their lowest point total in 26 years in a Big Ten game at Minneapolis.

Clemson 60, No. 15 North Carolina 59--Krystal Scott scored all of her 16 points in the second half at Chapel Hill, N.C., helping the Tigers (10-5, 1-2) pick up their first Atlantic Coast Conference victory. North Carolina (9-5, 1-3) trailed by as many as 12 points in the second half before rallying to make the score close.