Lance Stephenson scored 14 points as Cincinnati beat Connecticut 60-48 on Saturday, spoiling the return of Huskies coach Jim Calhoun from a 3 1/2-week leave of absence.
Ibrahima Thomas and Deonta Vaughn each added 10 points and Thomas had 11 rebounds for the Bearcats (15-9, 6-6 Big East), who won for the first time in three games, and kept their NCAA tournament hopes alive.
Kemba Walker had 14 points for the Huskies (14-11, 4-8), who were 3-4 while Calhoun was out with an undisclosed medical condition, and have lost five of their last six.
Cincinnati outrebounded UConn 46-32 and had 19 offensive boards.
Calhoun received a standing ovation as he walked onto the XL Center court for pregame warmups, and another when he was introduced to the crowd, which booed the Huskies in the second half.
