Recap: Cincinnati vs. Connecticut

Cincinnati, OH (Sports Network) - Sean Kilpatrick scored 20 points and the Cincinnati Bearcats outlasted the Connecticut Huskies, 61-56, in Big East Conference play at Fifth Third Arena.

Cashmere Wright added 10 points but shot just 2-of-14 from the floor. Still, the Bearcats (20-9, 8-8 Big East) were able to pick up a much needed win after entering the day with losses in five of their previous six outings.

The Huskies (19-9, 9-7) struggled offensively without leading scorer Shabazz Napier (17.1 ppg), who aggravated his surgically-repaired right foot in Wednesday's double-overtime loss to Georgetown. Ryan Boatright had a game-high 22 points and Deandre Daniels scored 18, although UConn shot just 34.6 percent as a team.

UConn grabbed a 29-24 halftime lead after holding Cincinnati to 27.8-percent shooting from the floor in the opening frame.

However, the Bearcats opened the second stanza with a 26-10 spurt and went up by 12 on a steal and layup by Jermaine Sanders with 9:16 to play. Still, it was a one-point game in the final 20 seconds until UConn turned the ball over on back-to-back possessions.

Those final two possessions were a microcosm of the game, as Cincinnati held a key 21-1 advantage in points off turnovers.