There's just something about the UConn Huskies men's basketball team and having a big lead at the Dunkin Donuts Center in Providence, RI. It seems everytime they get one, they lose it and lose the game.

Fortunately for them, Omar Calhoun hit a big a three in overtime and the Huskies made their free throws as they held on to beat the Providence Friars 82-79 in front of 10,180 and a nationally-televised audience on ESPN2 at the Dunk on Thursday night.

UConn improves to 14-5 (4-3 Big East) while Providence falls to 10-11 (2-7).

Ryan Boatright led the way for UConn with 19 points and seven assists. Shabazz Napier and DeAndre Daniels both added 18 points with Daniels pulling down a team-high seven rebounds. Calhoun finished the game with 13 points.

Kadeem Batts paced the Friars with 20 points and added nine rebounds. Bryce Cotton had 18 points while LaDontae Henton had a double-double of 15 points and 13 rebounds. Despite not starting the game due to a coach's decision, Vincent Council had a double-double of his own with 15 points and 10 assists.

If it weren't for Council being benched to start this game, it's quite possible the result could have been different for UConn.

UConn got out of the gates quickly as they charged out to a 25-10 lead before Council entered the game. Once he came in, the Friars went on a 8-0 run and finished the half on 22-8 run. If it weren't for a turnover, Providence could have held a halftime lead.

The teams exchanged baskets throughout the second half with the biggest lead being held by UConn at five points. In overtime, Calhoun's three gave the Huskies the lead for good and they held off the Friars.

While we know head coach Kevin Ollie is happy with the win, he can't pleased that his team was absolutely crushed on the boards, 55-24. Of course it doesn't help when you're three big men (Tyler Olander, Enosch Wolf and Daniels) all foul out of the game.

But like they've done all season long, the team showed enough heart to pull out the "W".

The Huskies are back in action on Sunday afternoon when they'll welcome the South Florida Bulls to Gampel Pavilion. Tip is scheduled for 2 p.m.

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UConn Huskies @ Providence Friars 1.31.13 box score

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photo credit:  stephen dunn – hartford courant (no. 8 in gallery)

It was learned last week that Boston Red Sox OF Ryan Kalish would need to undergo shoulder surgery costing him a chance to make the team out of 2013 spring training.

On Wednesday, the Red Sox announced that Kalish's shoulder surgery was successful.

Here's the release:

BOSTON, MA – Red Sox outfielder Ryan Kalish underwent a successful right shoulder arthroscopy and posterior labrum repair.  The surgery was performed yesterday by Dr. Lewis Yocum in Los Angeles, CA.  Ryan is expected to make a full recovery.

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photo credit:  getty images

Paw Prints is our daily look at the happenings for the UConn Huskies football, men's basketball and women's basketball teams as well as the other sports the student-athletes engage in. We will do our best to bring you the links from all of the media that covers the Huskies on a daily basis. As always, links can be found by clicking on the read more button below if you're on the home page.

Thank you for stopping by and making SOX & Dawgs your home for UConn Huskies news.

To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click

UConn Women's Basketball links

Dolson, KML lead UConn rout of Villanova [carl adamec – snyuconn.com]

UConn’s Stewart hopes fun just beginning [carl adamec – snyuconn.com]

Notebook: Dailey deserves honor [carl adamec – snyuconn.com]

One Vintage Geno Quote From Villanova Romp [john altavilla – hartford courant]

Villanova’s Harry Perretta On The UConn Game [john altavilla – hartford courant]

“Three” Reasons Why KML Is Among UConn’s Greats [john altavilla – hartford courant]

Geno: Dailey Deserves To Be In Huskies Of Honor (At Some Point) [rich elliott – ct post]

Hayes heading to Turkey [jim fuller – new haven register]

Dolson, Mosqueda-Lewis deliver again for UConn [jim fuller – new haven register]

Night Ends For Mosqueda-Lewis Without Use Of Either Contact [jim fuller – new haven register]

UConn women roll past Villanova [ct post]

UConn women game in a nutshell: KML teams with Dolson in easy victory [ct post]

KML, Dolson Huskies' dynamic duo [ct post]

Villanova Can't Slow Down UConn As Huskies Run To 76-43 Victory [hartford courant]

Long Rangers [hartford courant]

Stefanie Dolson scores 20 in win over Villanova [new haven register]

Geno’s Legacy: Lobo Talks 1995 Final Four [snyuconn.com]

No. 3 UConn turns to its defense to rout Villanova [the day]

UConn Men's Basketball links

Dom answered a question in his mailbag [dom amore – hartford courant]

Adrien posts double-double in first career start [kevin duffy – ct post]

Kris Dunn's Intensity At Providence Has Rubbed Off On Teammates [hartford courant]

Dunn and Evans: From the ECC to the Big East [the day]

UConn Football links

Returning starters in the Big East in 2013 [andrea adelson – espn.com]

Sio Moore turning heads in draft prep [andrea adelson – espn.com]

Florida Transfer, UConn LB Graham Stewart On The Process Of Building [desmond conner – hartford courant]

Report: Virginia OL commits to UConn [jim fuller – new haven register]

Other UConn related links

Softball. BIG EAST Releases Preseason Poll [uconnhuskies.com]

Baseball. Complete Baseball Results and Extended Records Now Available [uconnhuskies.com]

W. Track. Women's Track & Field Tabbed No. 25 in the Country [uconnhuskies.com]

W. Track. Flowers Earns Third Consecutive BIG EAST Athlete of the Week [uconnhuskies.com]

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Two things are guaranteed when you play Harry Perretta's Villanova Wildcats women's basketball team.

One, you can expect them to use the entire shot clock. Two, you can expect to shoot a ton of three-pointers. One way to counteract that though is get out to a quick fast start against them.

But when you're the UConn Huskies and capable of big runs, you can stop Perretta's game plan.

And that's exactly what the UConn women did as they went on an early big run in the first half and never looked back in a 76-43 win over the Wildcats in front of 10,324 at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on Tuesday night.

With the win, the Huskies improve to 19-1 (6-1 Big East). The Wildcats fall to 16-4 (5-2).

Stefanie Dolson led the way for UConn with 20 points and eight rebounds. Kaleena-Mosqueda Lewis added 19 points and a team-high five assists while freshman phenom Breanna Stewart had 14 points, six rebounds and three blocked shots.

Kelly Faris had another nice all around game with six points, eight rebounds and four assists.

Caroline Doty's high school teammate Jesse Carey led Villanova with nine points and five rebounds. Emily Leer added eight points.

Dolson is turning into an absolute weapon for the Huskies. Not only can she dominate inside, she can shoot the ball pretty well from the outside. She's even increased her range adding a three-point shot to her arsenal. She reminds of Rebecca Lobo in her prime.

The UConn women return to action on Saturday afternoon when they head to New York City to take on the St. John's Red Storm. Tip is scheduled for 2 p.m.

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Villanova Wildcats @ UConn Huskies 1.29.13 box score

Here are the postgame quotes from UConn head coach Geno Auriemma.

Here are UConn's postgame notes.

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photo credit: mark mirko – hartford courant (no. 9 in gallery)