Syracuse, N.Y. ? Charlie Villanueva experienced the ups and downs of college basketball in three days.

The sophomore forward had one of his worst games in Connecticut’s victory Saturday over St. John’s. On Monday night, he had 21 points, 10 rebounds and several big plays to lead the 19th-ranked Huskies to a 74-66 victory over No. 8 Syracuse, ending the Orange’s 16-game home winning streak.

“This was a huge win for us,” he said. “For me personally, it was as huge as it gets. This was a big game in a tough place to play.”

The game was a matchup of the last two national champions, and the defending champs prevailed. It also matched two of the winningest coaches in the sport’s history. UConn’s Jim Calhoun has 695 victories, two behind Jim Boeheim.

Calhoun said Villanueva was in tears after scoring three points on 1-for-5 shooting in the home win over the Red Storm.

Connecticut closed the game with a 9-1 run, and Villanueva outscored Syracuse 7-5 over the final eight minutes as the Huskies (15-5, 7-3 Big East) won for the fourth time in five games.

“Our young kids took over the game,” Calhoun said of his starting lineup that features a junior, three sophomores and a freshman. “We’re fighting for our NCAA life. Obviously, this is the best win we’ve had this season. We’re getting a little better. I believe in this team.”

Hakim Warrick had 16 points for the foul-plagued Orange (21-3, 8-2), who had won all 14 home games this season. The last time Syracuse lost in the Carrier Dome was Feb. 16 to Notre Dame.

“We have been very good down the stretch, but every game down the stretch you’re not always going to make the right plays or miss a shot or two and that’s what happened,” Boeheim said. “I thought we played as hard as we played all year.”

Freshman Rudy Gay added 18 points for Connecticut, and Williams had nine points and six assists.

Syracuse's Gerry McNamara and head coach Jim Boeheim, far right, look on as Connecticut clinches a 74-66 victory at the foul line with seconds remaining. The game Monday night in Syracuse, N.Y., featured the two most recent NCAA champions.

No. 15 Utah 57, UNLV 53

Las Vegas — Bryant Markson scored 19 points, and Utah overcame an off night by Andrew Bogut to extend its winning steak to 15 games.

The 15th-ranked Utes (20-3, 8-0) only led by one with less than a minute to play but closed the game by making four of six foul shots.

Odartey Blankson led the Rebels (9-11, 2-6) with 18 points, and Amundson had 12.

No. 22 Villanova 67, Saint Joseph’s 52

Philadelphia — Jason Fraser had 14 points and 14 rebounds, and Villanova withstood a second-half rally by Saint Joseph’s.

With the sweltering Palestra rocking in the latest meeting between these local rivals, the crowd at the famed home of the Big 5 saw another wild one in the series’ 84-year history.

Curtis Sumpter scored 15 points for Villanova (14-5).