HARTFORD, Conn. (Interstat) — In a gritty, defensive-minded Big East clash that came down to the final seconds, Connecticut survived a ferocious challenge from Seton Hall, escaping with a 71-67 victory Saturday afternoon before a sellout crowd of 10,244 at the XL Center.

The Huskies, who improved to 27-3 overall and clinched at least a share of the Big East regular-season title, were carried by a dominant performance from forward Alex Karaban. The Southborough, Massachusetts, native scored a game-high 23 points, including several critical baskets down the stretch, to fend off a Pirates squad that led for much of the second half.

Seton Hall, which fell to 19-10, was led by AJ Staton-McCray’s 20 points, while Elijah Fisher added 12 and Najai Hines contributed 11 points and three blocks. The Pirates’ physical defense and shot-blocking presence, tallying nine swats as a team, kept the high-powered UConn offense in check for long stretches.

The game’s pivotal sequence unfolded in the final minute with the score knotted at 66. After a missed Seton Hall floater, Connecticut’s Tarris Reed secured the defensive rebound and was fouled with 35 seconds remaining. Reed, who finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds, split the pair of free throws to put the Huskies ahead by one.

On the ensuing possession, Seton Hall’s Adam Clark drove and dished to Staton-McCray, whose three-point attempt from the wing rimmed out. UConn’ Solo Ball grabbed the rebound and was immediately fouled. The guard calmly sank both free throws with 8 seconds left to extend the lead to 69-66.

Seton Hall, without a timeout, rushed the ball upcourt. Clark found Staton-McCray for another three-point look, but it missed. Karaban secured the game-sealing rebound, was fouled, and made both free throws with 0.3 seconds left to provide the final margin.

The contest was a stark contrast to the teams’ first meeting on Jan. 13, a 69-64 UConn win. This time, Seton Hall’s defensive intensity was evident from the start. The Pirates held UConn to 32 first-half points and took a 33-32 lead into the break, largely by limiting the Huskies to 21-of-46 shooting for the game and forcing 14 turnovers.

Connecticut’s offense, however, found its rhythm in the second half behind Karaban’s versatility. He scored 15 of his points after halftime, mixing interior finishes with three-point shots, going 9-of-21 from the floor and 5-of-9 from deep. His back-to-back three-pointers midway through the second half erased a five-point Seton Hall lead and ignited the home crowd.

The Huskies also leveraged a significant advantage at the free-throw line, attempting 29 free throws to Seton Hall’s nine, and making 20. That disparity proved crucial in a game where every possession was contested. UConn’s backcourt of Silas Demary Jr., who dished out nine assists, and Ball, who scored 14 points, provided steady play against Seton Hall’s relentless defensive pressure.

Seton Hall’s offensive effort was efficient but ultimately insufficient. The Pirates shot 47.2% from the field and a sharp 50% from three-point range, led by Staton-McCray’s 4-of-7 shooting from deep. Clark orchestrated the offense with eight assists, and the Pirates won the turnover battle, committing 13 to UConn’s 14. Yet, their inability to generate free throws or secure a critical stop in the final minute cost them a signature road win.

The victory extends Connecticut’s winning streak to three games as they head into their regular-season finale at Marquette next Saturday. Seton Hall, which saw its two-game win streak snapped, will look to regroup on the road at Xavier on Tuesday before hosting Saint John’s next Friday, with their NCAA tournament hopes still very much alive after pushing the nation’s top team to the brink.