Storrs, CT (My Sportsbook) - Jerome Dyson scored a team-high 23 points and went 14-of-15 from the foul line, including making some key free throws down the stretch, as 12th-ranked Connecticut held off Hofstra, 76-67, at Gampel Pavilion.

The Huskies were down by nine points with nearly nine minutes left before rallying.

"Hofstra gave us everything we could handle," said UConn head coach Jim Calhoun. "Down nine with nine to go in your own building, I think, is tougher than being down nine on the road."

Kemba Walker totaled 16 points and seven rebounds for the Huskies (3-0), who advanced to face the LSU in the semifinals of the NIT Season Tip-Off Tournament.

Stanley Robinson scored 15 points and Gavin Edwards finished with 10 points and five blocks for UConn, which improved to 61-4 all-time against non- conference foes at Gampel Pavilion.

Charles Jenkins scored 21 of his game-high 25 points in the second half for the Pride (1-2), while Cornelius Vines drained six three-pointers in defeat.

UConn took a 30-23 advantage into the break, but had its lead cut to three at 34-31 on a layup by Jenkins.

Trailing 43-39, the Pride used efficient three-point shooting -- draining five in a row -- to seize a 54-45 lead. Halil Kanacevic closed the gap to one and Jenkins knocked down a trey to put Hofstra on top, 45-43.

After Alex Oriakhi tied the game on a layup, Kanacevic nailed another long- range jumper and consecutive threes by Vines gave Hofstra a nine-point cushion with about nine minutes remaining.

UConn battled back and regained the lead, 59-58, after Dyson converted a pair at the charity stripe with a little less than 5 1/2 minutes remaining.

The teams continued to trade baskets and Dyson's floater in the lane made it 69-66 with about one minute left. Jenkins was whistled for an offensive foul on the next possession and clutch shooting at the foul line by Dyson sealed the win.

"We're not about moral victories," said Hofstra head coach Tom Pecora. "We're not about coming to places and playing people tough. This is a game we wanted to win, and we wanted to play in Madison Square Garden next week."

A Vines three-pointer gave Hofstra an early 7-5 lead, but it was all UConn the rest of the first half. Dyson made two free throws and Walker hit a fastbreak layup to cap an 18-4 run and put the Huskies up 23-11 with about seven minutes remaining.

Game Notes

Oriakhi had eight points and a game-high 14 rebounds...Kanacevic scored eight points and grabbed 10 boards...UConn has won both meetings with the Pride.