HARTFORD, Conn. (Interstat) — The Connecticut Huskies, showcasing the depth and defensive intensity that has defined their season, methodically dispatched the DePaul Blue Demons 72-60 in a Big East Conference men’s basketball game Saturday at a sold-out XL Center.

A crowd of 15,495 watched the Huskies improve to 16-1 overall and remain unbeaten in league play, using a 12-2 run early in the second half to finally create separation from a persistent DePaul squad. The Blue Demons, who fell to 10-7, kept the contest within single digits for the first 25 minutes but could not overcome a stifling Connecticut defense that generated 20 points off 15 DePaul turnovers.

The most critical sequence of the game unfolded just after halftime, turning a competitive affair into a comfortable Connecticut lead. Leading 39-27 at the break, the Huskies saw their advantage trimmed to 10 points early in the second period. Connecticut then unleashed its decisive run, fueled by its trademark defensive pressure. A steal by Braylon Mullins led to a transition bucket from the sophomore guard. On the next possession, a blocked shot ignited another fast break, culminating in a Silas Demary assist to Solo Ball for a layup. The Huskies’ interior defense, anchored by Tarris Reed and Alex Karaban, repeatedly altered shots and secured rebounds, limiting DePaul to one-and-done trips. When Eric Reibe finished inside off a feed from Mullins with 15:56 remaining, the Huskies had opened a 48-32 lead, their largest of the game to that point. DePaul never got closer than 12 points the rest of the way.

Mullins, a 6-foot-6 guard from Greenfield, Indiana, led all scorers with 16 points, adding three assists and two blocks. His backcourt mate, Silas Demary of Raleigh, North Carolina, provided 14 points and four assists, controlling the tempo for the Huskies. Karaban, the versatile forward from Southborough, Massachusetts, contributed 15 points and was a constant disruptive force on defense.

DePaul was led by Layden Blocker’s 16 points, while Brandon Maclin added 12. The Blue Demons struggled to find consistent offense against Connecticut’s length and switching schemes, shooting just 46.8% from the floor and a paltry 30.8% from three-point range. Connecticut, by contrast, was efficient, shooting 50% from the field and 84.2% from the free-throw line.

The Huskies set the tone from the opening tip, with Reed winning the jump ball and Demary finding him for a layup on the game’s first possession. Connecticut built an early 10-4 lead, but DePaul hung tough, with Blocker hitting a three-pointer to keep pace. The Huskies began to pull away late in the first half, closing the period on a 9-2 spurt. A driving layup by Demary and a three-pointer from Karaban were followed by a steal from Demary, which led to Mullins being fouled on a fast-break attempt. He made both free throws, and after a DePaul turnover, Demary drilled a deep three-pointer at the halftime buzzer to send the Huskies into the locker room with a 37-27 advantage.

The second half followed a similar pattern of Connecticut defensive stands triggering offensive opportunities. The Huskies finished with 12 steals and five blocks, consistently turning defense into offense and outscoring DePaul 38-28 in the paint.

DePaul, which had won two straight conference games entering the contest, including a victory over Georgetown earlier in the week, now looks ahead to a home matchup with Marquette next Friday. Connecticut, which has won 10 consecutive games since its only loss to Arizona in November, travels to face Seton Hall on Tuesday. The Huskies have now defeated DePaul twice this season, having also won 72-54 in Chicago on Dec. 21.

The game’s total points, 132, fell under the betting over/under line of 135.5. According to Interstat’s ELO system, Connecticut entered the game with a 98.40 percent probability to win.