Nova's victory Wednesday night was big. But it won't matter as much as it could if the Cats don't keep rolling.

UConn men's basketball lost its first game since November, falling 68-66 to Villanova. Huskies head coach Dan Hurley stayed optimistic after the loss, crediting Villanova for a great performance and highlighting his team's effort.

VILLANOVA, Pa. — Eric Dixon scored 18 of his 23 points in the second half and Villanova held on for a 68-66 victory over No. 9 UConn on Wednesday night after the Huskies’ Alex Karaban missed two free throws with 3.1 seconds left.

Villanova upset No. 9 UConn, 68-66, in a nail-biter Wednesday night at a raucous Finneran Pavilion. The Wildcats (10-5, 4-1 Big East) held a 32-25 halftime advantage by forcing nine first-half turnovers and limiting UConn’s high-octane offense to a 37 percent clip from three-point range.

Eric Dixon scored 18 of his 23 points in the second half to propel host Villanova to a 68-66 upset of No. 9 UConn on Wednesday night. In a raucous atmosphere in Villanova's on-campus gym, Wooga Poplar added 18 points as the Wildcats (11-5,