COL BKB: Providence 85, Connecticut 76

PROVIDENCE, R.I., March 6 (UPI) -- Weyinmi Efejuku scored 25 points Thursday to help Providence pull off an 85-76 upset of No. 14 Connecticut.

After losing five in a row, the Friars have won two straight to remain in contention for a berth in the Big East Conference Tournament.

Jeff Xavier added 21 points and Geoff McDermott had 12 for Providence (15-14, 6-11 Big East).

Connecticut lost for just the second time in 14 games. The Huskies (23-7, 12-5) were led by 16 points each from Stanley Robinson and Hasheem Thabeet.

A.J. Price, who leads the Huskies in scoring this season, was limited to 11 points while making four of 13 shots from the field.

Connecticut took a one-point halftime lead and the game remained close until the Friars went on a 7-1 run to take a 55-49 advantage with 8:40 remaining. The Huskies could not recover and Providence extended its lead to nine points when Xavier lobbed a pass to Efejuku for a slam dunk with 1:44 to play.

Providence also defeated Connecticut on Jan. 17.