(BCSNN) - No. 5 UConn extended its win streak to five games Tuesday night, defeating No. 18 Florida 77-73 in the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden. The Huskies (9-1) built a halftime cushion behind blistering shooting and held off the defending champion Gators (7-2) with clutch plays down the stretch.

Solo Ball tied for the game-high with 19 points, hitting three three-pointers, including a dagger with 5:01 remaining. Alex Karaban added 13 points, three triples, and two blocks, while Tarris Reed Jr. scored 12 points with a team-high five rebounds in his return from injury. Malachi Smith provided a spark off the bench, tallying nine assists against just one turnover.

UConn shot 59.3 percent in the first half and led 39-32 at the break. Florida surged in the second half, taking its first lead since the opening period at 49-46 with 11:53 to play. The Huskies responded, regaining control on Smith’s step-back jumper and never trailing again. Karaban’s block and transition three-pointer at the seven-minute mark swung momentum back to UConn, and Ball’s late triple and free throws sealed the win.

Florida’s Xavian Lee matched Ball with 19 points, while Thomas Haugh added 18. The Gators dominated the glass (+12, 16 offensive rebounds) but struggled from deep, shooting just 4-of-15 from three.

The Huskies forced 15 turnovers, outscoring Florida 17-8 off miscues, and their bench outproduced the Gators’ reserves 20-6. UConn finished with 18 assists on 29 field goals, led by Smith’s nine.

The victory improved UConn to 6-2 all-time against Florida and 5-0 in regular-season meetings. Head coach Dan Hurley is now 17-8 at Madison Square Garden, including 7-2 in non-conference regular-season games.

Karaban moved into 21st place on UConn’s all-time scoring list with 1,487 career points, while Smith reached 499 career assists.

UConn has faced five KenPom top-20 teams in the past 24 days, going 4-1 in that stretch.

The Huskies close their non-conference slate Friday night against Texas at PeoplesBank Arena.