UConn leads Kentucky 31-21 at halftime

Published Apr. 2, 2011 11:16 p.m. ET

foxsports

Kemba Walker had nine points and six assists as Connecticut took a 31-21 lead over Kentucky in the second semifinal at the Final Four on Saturday night.

The winner will meet Butler (28-9) in Monday night's championship game. The Bulldogs beat VCU 70-62 in the other semifinal.

Walker, who has averaged 26.3 points in the Huskies' four NCAA tournament games, was 3 of 8 from the field, but he was able to give third-seeded Connecticut the lead for good by scoring six points and getting an assist in a 10-0 run that gave it a 19-12 lead.

Fourth-seeded Kentucky shot just 28.1 percent from the field (9 of 32) including making just two of 12 from 3-point range. The Wildcats were also 1 of 5 from the free throw line.

Except for Walker the Huskies were shooting extremely well. Jeremy Lamb was 4 for 5 from the field and had eight points. Connecticut was shooting 51.9 percent (14 of 27) but was just 1 of 6 on 3s.

Kentucky used a 7-2 run to get within 21-19, but Connecticut pulled away again. All the scoring came down low, including a great backdoor pass from Walker to Lamb that made it 29-19 with 3:23 to play.

The Wildcats missed their final five shots of the half, but Connecticut wasn't able to take advantage as the Huskies didn't score over the final 2:30.

Connecticut started the game by making four of its first five shots while Kentucky made two of its first eight.

The game was a rematch of the championship game of the Maui Invitational in November. Connecticut won that game 84-67 behind Walker's 29 points and six assists.

The Huskies have been on an incredible run starting with winning five games in as many days - four over ranked teams - to win the Big East championship. They advanced to the Final Four by winning games over San Diego State and Arizona in Anaheim, Calif. The West has always been good to Connecticut as all four of its Final Four appearances have come through that regional.

Kentucky entered the Final Four on a 10-game winning streak that included the Southeastern Conference tournament. The Wildcats beat No. 1-seed Ohio State and No. 2 North Carolina in the East Regional.