COL BKB: West Virginia 78, Connecticut 72

NEW YORK, March 13 (UPI) -- Joe Alexander scored 34 points Thursday to help West Virginia down No. 15 Connecticut 78-72 in the quarterfinals of the men's Big East Tournament in New York.

From a 31-30 deficit, WVU used a 10-0 spurt to grab a 42-36 advantage at the break.

That surge included three-pointers by Darris Nichols and Da'Sean Butler.

A 4-0 WVU run started the second half when the lead was 13 points on several occasions and Alexander made 8 of 9 free throws.

Butler finished with 17 points and nine rebounds and Nichols added 13 points with four rebounds for the Mountaineers (24-9), who have won four in a row and six of their last seven games.

Thursday's victory avenged a 79-71 loss at Connecticut on March 1.

UConn was led by A.J. Price's 22 points, three rebounds and six assists.

Stanley Robinson and Jeff Adrien scored 11 points apiece for the Huskies (24-8), who split their last six games.