Villanova defeated No. 9 UConn, 68-66, in a nail-biting matchup Wednesday night at raucous Finneran Pavilion. The Wildcats (10-5, 4-1 Big East) held a 32-25 halftime lead by forcing nine first-half turnovers and limiting UConn’s high-octane offense to 37 percent from three-point range .

Eric Dixon led Villanova with a game-high 23 points, knocking down two three-pointers and going 9-for-9 at the free throw line. Wooga Poplar scored 18 points while Jordan Longino added 12 – including a critical block in the final minute. The Wildcats shot 92.3 percent (12 of 13) from the charity stripe and converted timely defensive stops into points, controlling the momentum in the waning moments.

UConn (12-3, 4-1Big East) stormed back from an 11-point deficit in the second half behind Solo Ball and Jaylin Stewart. Ball scored 16 points, including four three-pointers, while Stewart added 14. The Huskies briefly shot ahead thanks to a 13-2 run, but Villanova responded as Dixon’s offense around the rim and Poplar’s perimeter play put the Wildcats within a three-point cushion.

A potential three-pointer and two late free throw attempts fell through UConn’s hands in the final seconds. Villanova held on when Alex Karaban missed two foul shots with three seconds left. The Wildcats next host St. John’s as the Huskies look to regroup after suffering their first conference loss.