Feb 11, 2002

Box Score

By DONNA TOMMELLEO
AP Sports Writer

HARTFORD, Conn. - Caron Butler had 20 points and 11 rebounds Monday night to lead Connecticut to a 46-40 victory over Villanova in the second lowest scoring game in Big East history.

The record was set on Feb. 26, 2000, when Providence beat Boston College 45-40.

On Saturday, the conference had its highest scoring game ever when Notre Dame beat Georgetown 116-111 in four overtimes.

The Huskies (16-6, 8-3) were 16-of-49 from the field (33 percent). They were held to a season-low 20 points in the first half and continued to misfire throughout the second half, finishing 8-of-31 (25 percent).

The Wildcats (13-9, 4-7) managed just five field goals in the second half and shot 26 percent for the game.

Butler made two free throws with 16:51 left to give Connecticut its first lead, 27-26. Villanova regained it at 28-27 on Andrew Sullivan's two free throws.

The Huskies then went on an 8-0 run keyed by Taliek Brown's jumper with 14:53 to play. Butler had four points in the spurt that gave UConn the lead for good. UConn, plagued by poor foul shooting for most of the game, made four of their last six to ice the win.

The first half was marked by long scoring droughts on both sides. The Wildcats hit their first three shots, getting two baskets from Ricky Wright, then missed their next 12 over an 11 1/2-minute stretch.

UConn fared no better. The Huskies tied it at 6 on Ben Gordon's dunk with 11:30 left then went scoreless for 41/2 minutes.

Derrick Snowden's 3-pointer at the 4:40 mark gave the Wildcats their biggest lead of the half, 18-12. UConn closed the gap with an 8-3 run that was capped by Butler's steal and layup as time ran out and the Huskies trailed 21-20.

Gordon finished with 12 points for UConn.

Sullivan, Brooks Sales and Gary Buchanan each had nine points for the Wildcats. Sales also had 12 rebounds.

The Huskies were without starting forward Johnnie Selvie, who sprained his left ankle in practice on Sunday. He averages 12 points a game.