Connecticut Comes Back

Ben Gordon scored 16 of his 18 points in the second half as No. 9 Connecticut rallied from a 25-point deficit to beat Massachusetts, 59-48, Tuesday night at Hartford, Conn.

The Huskies (6-0) managed only nine points in the first half on four-for-26 shooting (15%) and trailed, 30-9, at the break. Massachusetts (1-5) took advantage of the absence of UConn’s leading rebounder, Emeka Okafor, who was in foul trouble early in the game.

UConn’s turnaround in the second half was a quick one. After falling behind, 34-9, inside the first two minutes of the second half, the Huskies made six three-point baskets in the first 10 minutes.

Okafor’s hook shot with 6:33 left gave the Huskies their first lead, 38-36.

No. 12 Kentucky 76, Tulane 60 -- Keith Bogans scored 21 points -- the fourth time this season he has topped 20 points -- to lead the Wildcats (5-1) over the Green Wave (3-5) at New Orleans. Bogans made all five of his three-point shots.

No. 15 Illinois 80, Eastern Illinois 68 -- Freshman Dee Brown scored 25 points -- including 12 of 19 during an early second-half run -- to lead the Fighting Illini (6-0) over the Panthers (3-5) at Champaign, Ill.

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WOMEN

Abi Ramsey scored 15 of her career-high 18 points in the first half to lead No. 9 Vanderbilt (5-1) to a 98-51 victory over Wisconsin Milwaukee (3-5) at Nashville.... Kelly Mazzante scored 30 points, and No. 11 Penn State (7-1) rolled to an 82-56 victory over St. Joseph’s (2-4) at State College, Pa.... Reserve Alicia Sare scored 17 points to lead No. 23 Texas (3-2) to an 86-54 rout of Texas Christian (3-4) at Austin, Texas.