UConn presses NCAA title bid; Pittsburgh falls

GLENDALE, Arizona – Connecticut held off Missouri, 82-75, to stay in the hunt for its third college basketball title, while Villanova upset Pittsburgh, 78-76, to reach its first Final Four in 23 years on Saturday.

Freshman Kemba Walker scored 23 points as top-seeded Connecticut earned a trip to Detroit as winner of the West Regional. The Huskies will play the Louisville-Michigan State winner in the Final Four.

The Huskies blew an early 11-point lead but survived against frenetic third-seeded Missuori, which was denied its first Final Four berth.

Connecticut clinched the victory by going 10-for-10 from the line in the final 1:02.

The Huskies won their previous national titles in 1999 and 2004.

Scottie Reynolds made a half-court dash for the game-winning shot with 0.5 second left to lead Villanova back to the Final Four for the first time since its shocking run to the 1985 championship.

Dwayne Anderson scored 17 for the third-seeded Wildcats, who responded to Pittsburgh’s physical play by sinking 22 of 23 free throws in the East Regional final.

Villanova won the matchup of Big East rivals and advanced to play the winner of the South Regional championship between North Carolina and Oklahoma. (AP)