Villanova Earns the Top Billing

Villanova went inside in the first half and stayed outside in the second. Add some solid defense and an offensive boost from an unlikely source, and the No. 4 Wildcats defeated No. 1 Connecticut, 69-64, Monday night, Villanova’s first victory over a top-ranked team in nearly 11 years.

“It was a big test for us. UConn was a great team,” said Allan Ray, who had 19 of his 25 points in the second half. “A lot of teams didn’t think we were going to win. It was just a great test for us to go out and see where we were at.”

Ray had five three-pointers in a 22-4 run that gave Villanova, 20-2 overall and 10-1 in the Big East, the lead for good in its ninth straight victory. The Wildcats also got a lift from their center in an offense that relies on four guards.

The four guards account for 79% of the team’s points, but center Will Sheridan, who averages 4.5 points per game, matched his career high with 13 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to help the Wildcats stand up to Connecticut’s size advantage.

“We need to get our forwards involved. We’ve been working on it,” Villanova Coach Jay Wright said.

“Will has been defending, making plays, but not scoring as much. Tonight he took it to another level in a big game against an outstanding team, which I think tells you a lot about Will Sheridan.”

Connecticut had a chance to tie but Marcus Williams lost the ball and Ray made two free throws with 2.2 seconds left to make it 69-64.

“There was supposed to be a pick but Rashad Anderson said Ray pushed him and we bumped and lost the ball,” Williams said.

Rudy Gay had 19 points and 10 rebounds for the Huskies (22-2, 9-2), whose 11-game winning streak ended.