MBB Minute – No. 20 Connecticut knocked off No. 18 Alabama 82-67 Friday night to advance to the championship game of the Phil Knight Invitational. The Huskies will meet Iowa State Sunday at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN for the title.
 
With the score tied 52-52 with 8:52 left, UConn (7-0) put the game away with a 21-2 run. The Huskies, who overcame some foul trouble to key performers, were led by Adama Sanogo’s 25 points. Jordan Hawkins added 16 points.
 
The Huskies were the only BIG EAST team to taste victory on Friday after a 4-1 mark on Thanksgiving Day.
 
Xavier lost 71-64 to No. 8 Duke in the PK Legacy. The Blue Devils used a 15-2 run late in the first half to take a 40-34 lead at the break and held off the Musketeers (4-2). Souley Boum led Xavier with 23 points.
 
Seton Hall dropped a 77-64 decision to Oklahoma in the second round of the ESPN International Events. The Pirates (4-2) led 53-52 with 11 minutes remaining before the Sooners closed the game on a 25-11 streak. Al-Amir Dawes led Seton Hall with 12 points.
 
Butler lost the fifth-place game in the Battle 4 Atlantis 76-61 to NC State. The Wolfpack ended the first half with a 15-2 run to take control. Chuck Harris scored 20 points and Jayden Taylor added 18 for the Bulldogs (4-3).
 
Villanova’s shooting woes continued in an 83-71 loss to Portland in its second game at the PK Invitational. Caleb Daniels led four Wildcats in double figures with 18 points, but Villanova (2-4) shot only 9-of-41 from 3-point range while the Pilots were 11 for 24.
 
Friday began with DePaul losing 82-66 at home to Texas A&M. Eral Penn posted his third double-double with 21 points 10 rebounds for the Blue Demons (3-3). Umoja Gibson also notched a double-double with 13 points and 10 assists.
 
A four-game Saturday schedule provides a respite from tournament competition. All four contests with BIG EAST teams at home will be telecast by FS2 – UMBC at Georgetown at noon ET, Niagara at St. John’s at 2 p.m., Columbia at Providence at 4 p.m. and Chicago State at Marquette at 8:30 p.m.