NEW YORK (Interstat) — Saint John’s used a strong second half to upset top-ranked Connecticut 81-72 in a Big East men’s basketball game Friday night at Carnesecca Arena.

The game was tied 39-39 at halftime, but the Red Storm outscored the Huskies 42-33 after the break before a crowd of 19,812. Zuby Ejiofor led Saint John’s with 21 points and seven assists. Alex Karaban scored 17 points for Connecticut.

The loss was just the second of the season for Connecticut, which fell to 22-2. Saint John’s improved to 18-5. The teams will meet again in Storrs on Feb. 25.