COL BKB: Connecticut 77, Central Fla. 71

WORCESTER, Mass., March 18 (UPI) -- Charlie Villanueva scored 22 points to lead defending national champion Connecticut to a 77-71 win over Central Florida Friday in the NCAA Tournament opening round.

Rudy Gay added 17 points and Denham Brown 11 for the Huskies, the No. 2 seed in the Syracuse bracket.

Connecticut (23-7), which led by as much as 19 points in the second half, will go against the 10th seed, North Carolina State, in the second round.

Gary Johnson led Central Florida (24-9) with 29 points. William Bakanowsky added 15 for the Knights.