COL BKB: Connecticut 76, Miami-Fla. 63

ST. THOMAS, Virgin Islands, Nov. 23 (UPI) -- Second-ranked Connecticut, led by Hasheem Thabeet's 19 points, 14 rebounds and seven blocked shots Sunday, beat No. 16 Miami-Florida, 76-63.

Miami came within 39-33 early in the second half but Thabeet's three-point play helped UConn quell a rally, and a second three-point play put his team in the driver's seat at 61-49 with 10:14 left.

A.J. Price compiled 13 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. Jerome Dyson scored 12 with four rebounds, while Kemba Walker added 11 points and four rebounds for the Huskies (4-0), who advanced to Monday's final at the Paradise Jam tournament in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.

They did not commit a turnover and held a 40-34 rebounding advantage.

Jack McClinton led Miami with 27 points and six rebounds. Dwayne Collins, the only other Miami player in double figures, scored 16 with 14 rebounds for the Hurricanes (2-1), who lost despite not committing a turnover and limiting the Huskies to 33.3 percent on three-point attempts.