No. 21 Connecticut defeated DePaul 97-71 in the first round of the Big East Conference Tournament to end a lengthy skid.

The Huskies, who had lost four of five games this season, were in the midst of a six straight conference tournament losses.

Their most recent Big East tourney win came in 2005 against Georgetown in the quarterfinals.

The Big East is expected to set a record by sending at least 10 of its 16 members, including Connecticut, to the NCAA tournament.