Connecticut 76, Vanderbilt 70

NASHVILLE, Dec. 1 (UPI) -- In the only road game they have scheduled in the first two months of the season, the 12th-ranked Connecticut Huskies edged Vanderbilt Sunday night, 76-70, behind a career-high 25 points from Emeka Okafor.

Vanderbilt (3-1) took its first lead at 54-53 on Mario Moore's layup midway through the second half but could not build on the momentum. The Commodores made just two field goals in the next nine minutes and allowed the Huskies (3-0) to go on a 19-8 run and build a 72-62 lead.

Vanderbilt got as close as 74-70, but Connecticut sealed the game at the free-throw line.

Tony Robertson had 14 points for the Huskies, who got only four from leading scorer Ben Gordon. All of Gordon's points came at the end of Connecticut's decisive run.

Matt Freije led the Commodores with 18 points and nine rebounds. Corey Smith scored 14 points.