Jan. 27, 2007

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HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) -Weyinmi Efejuku and Herbert Hill each scored 19 points and Providence overcame an 11-point halftime deficit to beat Connecticut 84-72 on Saturday.

Efejuku scored 16 points after intermission, including nine as the Friars (14-6, 4-3 Big East) went on a 16-0 run to open the second half.

Five Providence players scored in double figures. Sharaud Curry had 12, and Geoff McDermott and Jonathan Kale each chipped in 10.

Providence shot 63 percent from the floor in the second half after hitting just 38 percent before intermission. Many of those baskets were dunks, including four ally-oops, and the Friars had 48 points in the paint while holding UConn to 22.

Connecticut (13-7, 2-5) lost its fourth consecutive game, the first four-game losing streak for the Huskies since January 2001.

Connecticut was patient in its offense in the first half, finding the open jumper against the Providence zone. The Huskies hit seven of 10 shots from 3-point range, and led 45-34 going into halftime.

But Providence extended the zone in the second half and UConn could not adjust, hitting just 24 percent from the floor after intermission.

Jeff Adrien led the Huskies with 18 points, including 10 in the first half. Jerome Dyson and Doug Wiggins each had 10.

McDermott started the Friars' big run by driving past Hasheem Thabeet, hitting a layup and drawing the foul. He missed the free throw, but Jonathan Kale tipped in the rebound.

Connecticut missed its first nine shots of the second half, including a dunk attempt by Jeff Adrien, and didn't score until Dyson hit two free throws with 14:19 remaining.

Providence has now won three straight at Connecticut, while UConn has won the last four games between the two teams in Rhode Island.