Connecticut 84, Providence 68

PROVIDENCE, R.I., Feb. 8 (UPI) -- Emeka Okafor scored 21 points and Ben Gordon chipped in with 20 Saturday as the 17th-ranked Connecticut Huskies cruised in the second half for an 84-68 Big East Conference victory over Providence.

Connecticut (14-5, 5-3 Big East East) won for the first time in two games under interim Coach George Blaney, who is filling in while Jim Calhoun recovers from prostate surgery. The Huskies took over just past the midway point of the first half and never let up.

Gordon and Okafor were the catalysts after sub-par outings in their previous game. Gordon made three of 11 shots for 13 points and Okafor managed only 12 in Wednesday night's 95-74 loss at Virginia Tech in Blaney's debut.

A three-pointer by Gordon gave Connecticut the lead for good at 18-17 with just over nine minutes left. The Huskies closed the half on a 7-1 run for a 41-31 edge at intermission.

Tony Robertson scored five points, Okafor had a tip-in and Gordon hit a three-pointer in a 10-2 spurt that gave the Huskies a 60-42 advantage with just over 14 minutes left. Robertson was the third Connecticut player in double figures with 16 points.

Ryan Gomes and Maris Laksa each scored 16 points to lead Providence (10-10, 3-6), which fell for the fifth time in six games.