December 30, 1998

Box

By DONNA TOMMELLEO
Associated Press Writer

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Richard Hamilton scored 27 points and Kevin Freeman had a career-high 24 Wednesday night as top-ranked Connecticut cruised to a 100-76 Big East Conference victory over Villanova.

Hamilton hit 5-of-7 3-pointers and reached the 1,500-point mark in his career.

The game marked the first of 11 straight Big East games for the Huskies (10-0, 2-0 Big East). Connecticut played without No. 2 rebounder Edmund Saunders, suspended one game for fighting, and reserve swingman Rashamel Jones, who has a sore leg.

They were hardly missed. Freeman led all players with 11 rebounds and reserve center-forward Antric Klaiber tied a career best with eight boards as the Huskies built a 41-29 rebound margin over the Wildcats (10-3, 1-2).

Point guard Khalid El-Amin directed the uptempo Huskies with a career-high nine assists and had four of Connecticut's 11 steals. Connecticut got 29 points off its transition game and 26 off turnovers.

The Huskies pressed most of the first half, got nine steals in the period and picked up 18 points off Villanova turnovers. Two quick buckets by Hamiltion and another by Jake Voskhuhl gave the Huskies a 6-0 lead in the first two minutes. Connecticut never trailed and led by as many as 30 late in the game.

Villanova center Rafal Bigus had 18 points and Malik Allen finished with 11.