Sports

No. 17 Huskies rally in 2nd half to get past Dayton 75-64 in Puerto Rico Tip-Off

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Dayton guard Scoochie Smith, right, dribbles past UConn guard Ryan Boatright during a NCAA college basketball game in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Friday, Nov. 21, 2014. (AP Photo/Ricardo Arduengo) (The Associated Press)

UConn basketball coach Kevin Ollie yells out instructions to his players during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Dayton in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Friday, Nov. 21, 2014. (AP Photo/Ricardo Arduengo) (The Associated Press)

Ryan Boatright had 20 points, Rodney Purvis added 19 and No. 17 Connecticut rallied from five points down in the second half to defeat Dayton 75-64 in the semifinals of the Puerto Rico Tip-Off on Friday.

The Huskies (3-0) led by as many as 10 in the first half, but had to fight off runs by the Flyers throughout the second half.

Connecticut 7-footer Amida Brimah added four blocks.

The Flyers (2-1) used their quickness to briefly put the Huskies behind, but turnovers and empty offensive possessions down the stretch proved costly.

Jordan Sibert led Dayton with 18 points.

Connecticut plays the winner of Boston College and West Virginia in the championship game on Sunday. Dayton gets the loser of that game for third place.