UConn tops Tulsa, will face SMU for AAC title

Connecticut used an improbable comeback Saturday in Hartford to continue its run at the American Athletic Conference tournament title and a return trip to the NCAA tournament.

Ryan Boatright scored 21 points and the Huskies overcame a 10-point second-half deficit to beat No. 2 seed Tulsa, 47-42, in the AAC semifinals.

Sixth-seeded UConn, which is hosting the tournament on one of its two home courts, will face regular-season AAC champion Southern Methodist for the title Sunday afternoon. The top-seeded Mustangs beat Temple, 69-56, earlier Saturday.

Rodney Purvis scored 11 points and Daniel Hamilton pulled down 12 rebounds with five assists for Connecticut (20-13), the defending national champion.

"It's a scenario where we lose and we don't get a bid," coach Kevin Ollie said. "You know, we feel not the pressure, but we feel the opportunity."

Shaquille Harrison scored nine points for the Golden Hurricanes (22-10).