Iowa State 77, Connecticut 64: Chris Allen scored 20 points as the Cyclones prevailed in the South Regional of the NCAA tournament in Louisville.: Chris Allen scored 20 points as the eighth-seeded Cyclones prevailed in the South Regional of the NCAA tournament in Louisville.

The victory sends Iowa State (23-10) into the round of 32 on Saturday against No. 1-seed Kentucky. Royce White added 15 points and 11 rebounds for the Cyclones.

Connecticut (20-14), the defending national champion, trailed 36-14 in the first half but rallied to within 58-52 on Ryan Boatright’s 3-pointer with 8:26 remaining. Iowa State responded with a 7-0 run, building a 65-52 lead on Melvin Ejim’s two free throws with 2:53 to go.

The Cyclones used a 16-0 run to build a 22-point first-half lead. Allen and Scott Christopherson each hit two 3-pointers during the run, and Anthony Booker’s jumper with 7:53 left in the half gave Iowa State a 36-14 advantage.

Christopherson added 15 points for Iowa State.

Shabazz Napier led the Huskies with 22 points.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Connecticut became the first defending national champion to lose in the first round since Princeton upset UCLA 43-41 in 1996. … The Huskies shot just 37.5 percent from the field. … Iowa State finished 19 for 21 from the free-throw line.