×
Deadspin | No. 5 UConn second-half spurt overpowers Villanova

Deadspin | No. 5 UConn second-half spurt overpowers Villanova

Sports news

Feb 21, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; UConn Huskies guard Solo Ball (1) dunks the ball against the Villanova Wildcats during the first half at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Alex Karaban scored eight of his 12 points in the second half as No. 5 UConn posted a 73-63 win over Villanova on Saturday in Philadelphia.

All five starters scored between nine and 12 points for the Huskies (25-3, 15-2 Big East), who bounced back nicely from a 91-84 loss to Creighton. Tarris Reed Jr. shot 5 of 5 from the field for 11 points, while Braylon Mullins pitched in 10 points.

The Huskies shot 54.9% from the floor and 11 of 13 from the free-throw line. They also dominated on the boards, outrebounding the Wildcats 37-24.

Tyler Perkins scored 15 points to pace Villanova (21-6, 12-4), which had won six straight games since losing to UConn last month. Matt Hodge chipped in with 13 points for the Wildcats, while Acaden Lewis scored 11 points — all in the first half.

After leading by two at halftime, UConn created separation early in the second half. Mullins’ 3-pointer began a 13-2 run that also included two buckets by Karaban and a 3-pointer by Solo Ball.

Villanova did not make a basket in the second half until Malachi Palmer scored with 14:35 left. Shortly thereafter, Hodge’s 3-pointer brought the hosts within 49-41.

However, the Huskies’ reserves responded with a quick 7-0 burst. Jaylin Stewart’s 3-pointer began that surge before Eric Reibe and Malachi Smith each added a bucket to make it 56-41.

Reed’s jumper with just under five minutes left sent the Huskies’ lead north of 20 for the first time. Villanova scored 17 points down the stretch to make the final score a bit more respectable.

Neither team led by more than five during a first half that ended with the Huskies ahead 34-32. The teams combined to shoot 5 of 22 from 3-point range in the opening session.

UConn committed eight turnovers in the first half to offset an efficient 57.7% shooting effort.

Lewis (11 points) and Perkins (10) led all players in first-half scoring.

–Field Level Media

Source link
#Deadspin #UConn #secondhalf #spurt #overpowers #Villanova

Related Posts

Deadspin | Marlins avoid sweep vs. Yankees thanks to 8th-inning surge Apr 5, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; Miami Marlins third baseman Graham Pauley (21) runs the bases after hitting a two RBI double against the New York Yankees during the eighth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images Pinch hitter Graham Pauley lined a go-ahead two-run double with the bases loaded against Jake Bird to spark a four-run eighth inning and the Miami Marlins hung on for a 7-6 victory over the host New York Yankees after a lengthy rain delay Sunday. The Marlins chipped away at an early 4-1 deficit following a pregame delay of three hours and 35 minutes and took their first lead in the eighth. Bird (1-1) replaced Fernando Cruz after Jakob Marsee drew a one-out walk. After Bird walked Otto Lopez and hit pinch hitter Griffin Conine on the left foot, Pauley batted for Connor Norby. Pauley gave the Marlins a 5-4 lead when he lined a sweeper down the right field line. Xavier Edwards, who drove in three runs, followed with a two-run single off Ryan Yarbrough for a three-run lead. New York’s Ben Rice hit a three-run homer in the first off opener Pete Fairbanks. Aaron Judge scored in the third when Lopez dropped a throw at second from Norby on a grounder by Rice. After throwing 13 1/3 scoreless innings in his first two starts, New York’s Max Fried allowed three runs on five hits in 6 2/3 innings. Fried struck out four and walked three. Lopez hit an RBI single off Fried as the Marlins took a lead in the first inning for the third straight game. Edwards hit a run-scoring double in the fourth and Marsee scored in the sixth on a throwing error by shortstop Jose Caballero, trimming it to 4-3. Fairbanks allowed three runs on three hits in a 27-pitch first inning. He served as the opener Sunday so he can leave the team and join his wife, who is expecting a child on Monday. After Fairbanks exited and Andrew Nardi pitched the second, Chris Paddack allowed one unearned run on three hits in 4 2/3 innings. Paddack struck out four and walked four. John King (1-0) notched the last out of the seventh and Calvin Faucher stranded a runner in the eighth. Anthony Bender allowed a two-run double to Jazz Chisholm Jr. before fanning pinch hitter J.C. Escarra to secure his first save. The Marlins allowed nine more walks and issued 30 walks in the three-game series. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Marlins #avoid #sweep #Yankees #8thinning #surgeApr 5, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; Miami Marlins third baseman Graham Pauley (21) runs the bases after hitting a two RBI double against the New York Yankees during the eighth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images

Pinch hitter Graham Pauley lined a go-ahead two-run double with the bases loaded against Jake Bird to spark a four-run eighth inning and the Miami Marlins hung on for a 7-6 victory over the host New York Yankees after a lengthy rain delay Sunday.

The Marlins chipped away at an early 4-1 deficit following a pregame delay of three hours and 35 minutes and took their first lead in the eighth.

Bird (1-1) replaced Fernando Cruz after Jakob Marsee drew a one-out walk. After Bird walked Otto Lopez and hit pinch hitter Griffin Conine on the left foot, Pauley batted for Connor Norby.

Pauley gave the Marlins a 5-4 lead when he lined a sweeper down the right field line.

Xavier Edwards, who drove in three runs, followed with a two-run single off Ryan Yarbrough for a three-run lead.

New York’s Ben Rice hit a three-run homer in the first off opener Pete Fairbanks. Aaron Judge scored in the third when Lopez dropped a throw at second from Norby on a grounder by Rice.


After throwing 13 1/3 scoreless innings in his first two starts, New York’s Max Fried allowed three runs on five hits in 6 2/3 innings. Fried struck out four and walked three.

Lopez hit an RBI single off Fried as the Marlins took a lead in the first inning for the third straight game.

Edwards hit a run-scoring double in the fourth and Marsee scored in the sixth on a throwing error by shortstop Jose Caballero, trimming it to 4-3.

Fairbanks allowed three runs on three hits in a 27-pitch first inning. He served as the opener Sunday so he can leave the team and join his wife, who is expecting a child on Monday.

After Fairbanks exited and Andrew Nardi pitched the second, Chris Paddack allowed one unearned run on three hits in 4 2/3 innings. Paddack struck out four and walked four.

John King (1-0) notched the last out of the seventh and Calvin Faucher stranded a runner in the eighth. Anthony Bender allowed a two-run double to Jazz Chisholm Jr. before fanning pinch hitter J.C. Escarra to secure his first save.

The Marlins allowed nine more walks and issued 30 walks in the three-game series.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Marlins #avoid #sweep #Yankees #8thinning #surge">Deadspin | Marlins avoid sweep vs. Yankees thanks to 8th-inning surge Apr 5, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; Miami Marlins third baseman Graham Pauley (21) runs the bases after hitting a two RBI double against the New York Yankees during the eighth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images Pinch hitter Graham Pauley lined a go-ahead two-run double with the bases loaded against Jake Bird to spark a four-run eighth inning and the Miami Marlins hung on for a 7-6 victory over the host New York Yankees after a lengthy rain delay Sunday. The Marlins chipped away at an early 4-1 deficit following a pregame delay of three hours and 35 minutes and took their first lead in the eighth. Bird (1-1) replaced Fernando Cruz after Jakob Marsee drew a one-out walk. After Bird walked Otto Lopez and hit pinch hitter Griffin Conine on the left foot, Pauley batted for Connor Norby. Pauley gave the Marlins a 5-4 lead when he lined a sweeper down the right field line. Xavier Edwards, who drove in three runs, followed with a two-run single off Ryan Yarbrough for a three-run lead. New York’s Ben Rice hit a three-run homer in the first off opener Pete Fairbanks. Aaron Judge scored in the third when Lopez dropped a throw at second from Norby on a grounder by Rice. After throwing 13 1/3 scoreless innings in his first two starts, New York’s Max Fried allowed three runs on five hits in 6 2/3 innings. Fried struck out four and walked three. Lopez hit an RBI single off Fried as the Marlins took a lead in the first inning for the third straight game. Edwards hit a run-scoring double in the fourth and Marsee scored in the sixth on a throwing error by shortstop Jose Caballero, trimming it to 4-3. Fairbanks allowed three runs on three hits in a 27-pitch first inning. He served as the opener Sunday so he can leave the team and join his wife, who is expecting a child on Monday. After Fairbanks exited and Andrew Nardi pitched the second, Chris Paddack allowed one unearned run on three hits in 4 2/3 innings. Paddack struck out four and walked four. John King (1-0) notched the last out of the seventh and Calvin Faucher stranded a runner in the eighth. Anthony Bender allowed a two-run double to Jazz Chisholm Jr. before fanning pinch hitter J.C. Escarra to secure his first save. The Marlins allowed nine more walks and issued 30 walks in the three-game series. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Marlins #avoid #sweep #Yankees #8thinning #surge

Kerala Blasters is going through a nightmare. It is lying 13th among the 14 teams of the ongoing season of the Indian Super League, with five losses and a draw.

So, Ashley Westwood has a task on his hands. The Englishman, who has a lot of experience in Indian football, has taken over as the new coach, in place of the Spaniard David Catala.

He admits it is a big challenge. “I have to get some morale back, some confidence, some team spirit, and to obviously try and improve performances,” Westwood, who had guided Bengaluru FC to the I-League title in the club’s first season, told Sportstar. “I have had a few chats with the players and the support staff.”

Westwood, a former England youth international who played for Bradford City in the English Premier League, said he accepted the job from the Blasters management because he wanted to help the team. “I know Indian football quite well. I just wanted to come here and help. They reached out to me after the match against Punjab FC.”

The offer came to Westwood, who has also worked with ATK and RoundGlass Punjab, at the right time – he had left his coaching job with the Hong Kong national team. “Seven weeks, roughly, and seven games, so it fitted well for me at the minute,” he reasoned. “And I am happy to be with Blasters at Kochi, which is a fantastic city.”

ALSO READ | ‘When fans rejoice, the JLN trembles’ — the Kochi crowd roars as India exorcises its hoodoo

He recalled how he spoiled the Blasters’ chances once while he was with ATK. “We had a very poor team at ATK, and we ended up drawing with Kerala Blasters, which probably cost them the playoffs,” he said. “My old friend David James was their coach.”

Westwood said Blasters was one ISL club he would have been keen about at any rate. “Because of the fan base,” he said. “As a coach, you always want to go to clubs with fans. And Kerala Blasters arguably have the most fans in India.”

Westwood, a product of the famous Manchester United Academy where he worked with the coaching great Alex Ferguson, believes there is plenty of talent in Indian football, but a lot needs to be done.

“Infrastructure, of course, is always very important,” he said. “When you go to European places, you will find millions of football fields everywhere,” he said. “There are nice facilities to train at. You need to encourage young players to stick at their career. And you have to train the kids from an early age.”

Published on Apr 02, 2026

#wanted #Ashley #Westwood #Kerala #Blasters #coach">I just wanted to come here and help: Ashley Westwood on becoming Kerala Blasters coach Kerala Blasters is going through a nightmare. It is lying 13th among the 14 teams of the ongoing season of the Indian Super League, with five losses and a draw.So, Ashley Westwood has a task on his hands. The Englishman, who has a lot of experience in Indian football, has taken over as the new coach, in place of the Spaniard David Catala.He admits it is a big challenge. “I have to get some morale back, some confidence, some team spirit, and to obviously try and improve performances,” Westwood, who had guided Bengaluru FC to the I-League title in the club’s first season, told Sportstar. “I have had a few chats with the players and the support staff.”Westwood, a former England youth international who played for Bradford City in the English Premier League, said he accepted the job from the Blasters management because he wanted to help the team. “I know Indian football quite well. I just wanted to come here and help. They reached out to me after the match against Punjab FC.”The offer came to Westwood, who has also worked with ATK and RoundGlass Punjab, at the right time – he had left his coaching job with the Hong Kong national team. “Seven weeks, roughly, and seven games, so it fitted well for me at the minute,” he reasoned. “And I am happy to be with Blasters at Kochi, which is a fantastic city.”ALSO READ | ‘When fans rejoice, the JLN trembles’ — the Kochi crowd roars as India exorcises its hoodooHe recalled how he spoiled the Blasters’ chances once while he was with ATK. “We had a very poor team at ATK, and we ended up drawing with Kerala Blasters, which probably cost them the playoffs,” he said. “My old friend David James was their coach.”Westwood said Blasters was one ISL club he would have been keen about at any rate. “Because of the fan base,” he said. “As a coach, you always want to go to clubs with fans. And Kerala Blasters arguably have the most fans in India.”Westwood, a product of the famous Manchester United Academy where he worked with the coaching great Alex Ferguson, believes there is plenty of talent in Indian football, but a lot needs to be done.“Infrastructure, of course, is always very important,” he said. “When you go to European places, you will find millions of football fields everywhere,” he said. “There are nice facilities to train at. You need to encourage young players to stick at their career. And you have to train the kids from an early age.”Published on Apr 02, 2026 #wanted #Ashley #Westwood #Kerala #Blasters #coach

‘When fans rejoice, the JLN trembles’ — the Kochi crowd roars as India exorcises its hoodoo

He recalled how he spoiled the Blasters’ chances once while he was with ATK. “We had a very poor team at ATK, and we ended up drawing with Kerala Blasters, which probably cost them the playoffs,” he said. “My old friend David James was their coach.”

Westwood said Blasters was one ISL club he would have been keen about at any rate. “Because of the fan base,” he said. “As a coach, you always want to go to clubs with fans. And Kerala Blasters arguably have the most fans in India.”

Westwood, a product of the famous Manchester United Academy where he worked with the coaching great Alex Ferguson, believes there is plenty of talent in Indian football, but a lot needs to be done.

“Infrastructure, of course, is always very important,” he said. “When you go to European places, you will find millions of football fields everywhere,” he said. “There are nice facilities to train at. You need to encourage young players to stick at their career. And you have to train the kids from an early age.”

Published on Apr 02, 2026

#wanted #Ashley #Westwood #Kerala #Blasters #coach">I just wanted to come here and help: Ashley Westwood on becoming Kerala Blasters coach

Kerala Blasters is going through a nightmare. It is lying 13th among the 14 teams of the ongoing season of the Indian Super League, with five losses and a draw.

So, Ashley Westwood has a task on his hands. The Englishman, who has a lot of experience in Indian football, has taken over as the new coach, in place of the Spaniard David Catala.

He admits it is a big challenge. “I have to get some morale back, some confidence, some team spirit, and to obviously try and improve performances,” Westwood, who had guided Bengaluru FC to the I-League title in the club’s first season, told Sportstar. “I have had a few chats with the players and the support staff.”

Westwood, a former England youth international who played for Bradford City in the English Premier League, said he accepted the job from the Blasters management because he wanted to help the team. “I know Indian football quite well. I just wanted to come here and help. They reached out to me after the match against Punjab FC.”

The offer came to Westwood, who has also worked with ATK and RoundGlass Punjab, at the right time – he had left his coaching job with the Hong Kong national team. “Seven weeks, roughly, and seven games, so it fitted well for me at the minute,” he reasoned. “And I am happy to be with Blasters at Kochi, which is a fantastic city.”

ALSO READ | ‘When fans rejoice, the JLN trembles’ — the Kochi crowd roars as India exorcises its hoodoo

He recalled how he spoiled the Blasters’ chances once while he was with ATK. “We had a very poor team at ATK, and we ended up drawing with Kerala Blasters, which probably cost them the playoffs,” he said. “My old friend David James was their coach.”

Westwood said Blasters was one ISL club he would have been keen about at any rate. “Because of the fan base,” he said. “As a coach, you always want to go to clubs with fans. And Kerala Blasters arguably have the most fans in India.”

Westwood, a product of the famous Manchester United Academy where he worked with the coaching great Alex Ferguson, believes there is plenty of talent in Indian football, but a lot needs to be done.

“Infrastructure, of course, is always very important,” he said. “When you go to European places, you will find millions of football fields everywhere,” he said. “There are nice facilities to train at. You need to encourage young players to stick at their career. And you have to train the kids from an early age.”

Published on Apr 02, 2026

#wanted #Ashley #Westwood #Kerala #Blasters #coach
Deadspin | Ex-Oriole Ryan O’Hearn helps Pirates finish sweep Apr 5, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates fright fielder Ryan O’Hearn (29) celebrates his two run home run in the dugout while wearing a welders hood against the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images Braxton Ashcraft struck out a career-high eight and Ryan O’Hearn drove in four runs to lead the host Pittsburgh Pirates to an 8-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday afternoon. O’Hearn and Oneil Cruz each hit two-run home runs to help the Pirates complete a three-game sweep of the Orioles, and win their fifth in a row. Pittsburgh did not sweep a series last season until June. Ashcraft (1-1) gave up one run on an RBI double by Pete Alonso in the fourth inning, which put the Orioles on the board. But Ashcraft limited the damage, eventually tossing six innings without a walk. He allowed only four hits. Taylor Ward led the Orioles at the plate with three hits. Pirates pitchers struck out 14 overall without a walk. Meanwhile, O’Hearn torched his former club at the plate, starting with a two-out, two-run homer in the bottom of the first off Baltimore starter Chris Bassitt (0-2). Pittsburgh followed with four more runs in the second. Cruz finished with two hits and three RBIs and started the scoring in that frame with an RBI single when he lined a 112-mph hit on one hop off Bassitt’s leg. Bassitt shook it off and remained in the game. He later allowed a two-run double to O’Hearn that scored Cruz and Brandon Lowe. Bassitt lasted just two innings and allowed six runs on six hits and two walks without a strikeout. Lefty Cade Povich, who was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday, replaced Bassitt in the third and delivered a solid 5 2/3 innings in relief, allowing two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out two. Cruz tagged Povich for a two-run home run – his fourth – in the bottom of the sixth to extend Pittsburgh’s lead to 8-1. Orioles manager Craig Albernaz was ejected in the top of the third after arguing with home plate umpire Jesse Jean after the Pirates’ Blaze Alexander felt like Ashcraft had started his windup before he was set at the plate. Baltimore bench coach Donnie Ecker managed for the remainder of the game. Jeremiah Jackson hit an RBI single in the seventh for the game’s final run. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #ExOriole #Ryan #OHearn #helps #Pirates #finish #sweepApr 5, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates fright fielder Ryan O’Hearn (29) celebrates his two run home run in the dugout while wearing a welders hood against the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Braxton Ashcraft struck out a career-high eight and Ryan O’Hearn drove in four runs to lead the host Pittsburgh Pirates to an 8-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday afternoon.

O’Hearn and Oneil Cruz each hit two-run home runs to help the Pirates complete a three-game sweep of the Orioles, and win their fifth in a row. Pittsburgh did not sweep a series last season until June.

Ashcraft (1-1) gave up one run on an RBI double by Pete Alonso in the fourth inning, which put the Orioles on the board. But Ashcraft limited the damage, eventually tossing six innings without a walk. He allowed only four hits.

Taylor Ward led the Orioles at the plate with three hits.

Pirates pitchers struck out 14 overall without a walk.


Meanwhile, O’Hearn torched his former club at the plate, starting with a two-out, two-run homer in the bottom of the first off Baltimore starter Chris Bassitt (0-2). Pittsburgh followed with four more runs in the second.

Cruz finished with two hits and three RBIs and started the scoring in that frame with an RBI single when he lined a 112-mph hit on one hop off Bassitt’s leg. Bassitt shook it off and remained in the game. He later allowed a two-run double to O’Hearn that scored Cruz and Brandon Lowe.

Bassitt lasted just two innings and allowed six runs on six hits and two walks without a strikeout.

Lefty Cade Povich, who was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday, replaced Bassitt in the third and delivered a solid 5 2/3 innings in relief, allowing two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out two. Cruz tagged Povich for a two-run home run – his fourth – in the bottom of the sixth to extend Pittsburgh’s lead to 8-1.

Orioles manager Craig Albernaz was ejected in the top of the third after arguing with home plate umpire Jesse Jean after the Pirates’ Blaze Alexander felt like Ashcraft had started his windup before he was set at the plate. Baltimore bench coach Donnie Ecker managed for the remainder of the game.

Jeremiah Jackson hit an RBI single in the seventh for the game’s final run.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #ExOriole #Ryan #OHearn #helps #Pirates #finish #sweep">Deadspin | Ex-Oriole Ryan O’Hearn helps Pirates finish sweep Apr 5, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates fright fielder Ryan O’Hearn (29) celebrates his two run home run in the dugout while wearing a welders hood against the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images Braxton Ashcraft struck out a career-high eight and Ryan O’Hearn drove in four runs to lead the host Pittsburgh Pirates to an 8-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday afternoon. O’Hearn and Oneil Cruz each hit two-run home runs to help the Pirates complete a three-game sweep of the Orioles, and win their fifth in a row. Pittsburgh did not sweep a series last season until June. Ashcraft (1-1) gave up one run on an RBI double by Pete Alonso in the fourth inning, which put the Orioles on the board. But Ashcraft limited the damage, eventually tossing six innings without a walk. He allowed only four hits. Taylor Ward led the Orioles at the plate with three hits. Pirates pitchers struck out 14 overall without a walk. Meanwhile, O’Hearn torched his former club at the plate, starting with a two-out, two-run homer in the bottom of the first off Baltimore starter Chris Bassitt (0-2). Pittsburgh followed with four more runs in the second. Cruz finished with two hits and three RBIs and started the scoring in that frame with an RBI single when he lined a 112-mph hit on one hop off Bassitt’s leg. Bassitt shook it off and remained in the game. He later allowed a two-run double to O’Hearn that scored Cruz and Brandon Lowe. Bassitt lasted just two innings and allowed six runs on six hits and two walks without a strikeout. Lefty Cade Povich, who was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday, replaced Bassitt in the third and delivered a solid 5 2/3 innings in relief, allowing two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out two. Cruz tagged Povich for a two-run home run – his fourth – in the bottom of the sixth to extend Pittsburgh’s lead to 8-1. Orioles manager Craig Albernaz was ejected in the top of the third after arguing with home plate umpire Jesse Jean after the Pirates’ Blaze Alexander felt like Ashcraft had started his windup before he was set at the plate. Baltimore bench coach Donnie Ecker managed for the remainder of the game. Jeremiah Jackson hit an RBI single in the seventh for the game’s final run. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #ExOriole #Ryan #OHearn #helps #Pirates #finish #sweep

Post Comment