Connecticut Win Impresses Its Coach

Emeka Okafor had 25 points, 11 rebounds and four blocked shots to lead No. 5-ranked Connecticut over No. 18 Syracuse, 84-56, in a Big East game Monday at Hartford, Conn.

“That was one of the best combination games we’ve played,” Connecticut Coach Jim Calhoun said. “We were tough and we were good.”

The Huskies (18-3, 6-1) limited the Orangemen to 31% shooting.

Hakim Warrick led Syracuse (14-4, 4-3) with 26 points and 11 rebounds. He had 16 points in the first half but was held without a field goal for the first 11 minutes of the second half.

No. 3 Saint Joseph’s 74, Villanova 67 -- The perimeter trio of Jameer Nelson, Delonte West and Pat Carroll combined for 60 points to lead the Hawks (19-0) over the Wildcats (12-8) at Villanova, Pa.

No. 20 Kansas 65, Missouri 56 -- Wayne Simien scored 18 points to help lift the Jayhawks (14-4, 6-1 Big 12) over the Tigers (9-9, 4-4) at Lawrence, Kan. Missouri closed to within one point, at 53-52, with 5:55 left, but could get no closer. Arthur Johnson had 15 points for the Tigers, who made only three of their 18 three-point shots.