VIDEO: Connecticut, Kentucky advance in Maui Invitational

By Fred Guzman

LAHAINA – Connecticut and Kentucky, a pair of programs with rich basketball traditions, advanced into the semifinals of the 2010 EA Sports Maui Invitational with victories during Monday’s early session at the Lahaina Civic Center.  [flashvideo file=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJEsTcbMeHc /]

Connecticut guard Kemba Walker put on a dazzling performance down the stretch, leading the Huskies to an 83-79 victory over Wichita State in a battle between teams on the fringes of the latest Associated Press rankings.

Walker, a 6-foot guard with a lighting-quick first step, scored 29 of his 31 points in the second half. ,Kemba made 14 of 15 free throws and hit a pull-up jumper with 41 seconds left to put the Huskies up by three, securing the win.

Connecticut had a huge free throw advantage, making 32 of 44 while the Shockers shot just 13. The Huskies next face No. 2 Michigan State or host Chaminade in Tuesday’s 2 p.m. semifinal.

“We’re fortunate to win, we know that,” said U-Conn coach Jim Calhoun. “But we also work to win. You don’t stay in a game like that when your offense is going poorly and the other team is draining threes on you, and not have some stuff about you.”

No. 8 Kentucky rode a 29-point, 13-rebound performance by freshman forward Terry Jones to post a 76-64 win over Oklahoma.

Jones, made 12 of 17 shots to offset a 23-point outing by Oklahoma;s Cade Davis.

Kentucky will meet No. 13 Washington or Virginia in the 4:30 p.m. semifinal.

All 12 games of the tournament will be aired live on Maui’s ESPN 550 and espn550.com.