Arlington, Texas - Staring at a 12-point deficit, UConn needed something to positive to happen early in Saturday night's national semifinal.

Then DeAndre Daniels buried a 3-pointer.

"When he hit that three, our fans went crazy and we understood what was going to happen next," senior Shabazz Napier said.

What happened next, UConn seized the momentum and closed out the first half on a 21-6 run and never trailed again on the way to a 63-53 victory over top-seeded Florida at AT&T Stadium. Daniels had eight points during that pivotal spurt.

The 6-foot-9 junior continued his recent surge, leading the Huskies in points (20) and rebounds (10).

He's extended his string of career-high double figure scoring games to nine in a row.

"I'm just having fun and enjoying myself," Daniels said. "I'm just going out there and playing hard for my teammates."

The Huskies relied on the versatile Daniels to exploit holes in a trapping 1-3-1 defense. Daniels scored from all over the court, posting up inside, finishing off lob passes under the basket and firing in 3-pointers.

Daniels converted 9 of 14 from the field overall while playing all 40 minutes.

"He was amazing," senior Niels Giffey said. "He was brought the whole package. I felt like every rebound was in his hand. I tried to box out and get those rebounds and DeAndre was always one step ahead of me."

Defensive leader

UConn neutralized Scottie Wilbekin, Florida's leading scorer in the NCAA tournament.

Wilbekin, the Southeastern Conference Player of the Year, finished with just four points on 2-for-9 shooting. He was never a factor.

Credit junior Ryan Boatright for playing tenacious defense on the Florida senior. Wilbekin came into the game averaging 16.8 points in the previous four NCAA games.

"I tried to be the emotional leader on the defensive end," Boatright said.

Boatright also contributed 13 points, six rebounds, three assists and a steal in 38 minutes.

Passing the torch

Hall of Fame coach Jim Calhoun raved about what Ollie has accomplished in just two seasons as head coach.

"I'm so proud of Kevin," said Calhoun, who was attendance. "Clearly, he's showing his greatness now."

Ollie is just the fourth head coach to lead his team to the Final Four in his first NCAA appearance. The others are Shaka Smart (VCU, 2011), Bill Guthridge (North Carolina, 1998) and Steve Fisher (Michigan, 1989).

Calhoun called his former point guard a natural leader. The coaching torch has officially been passed.

"He's gotten separation," Calhoun said. "It's his program, clearly and definitely."

The Huskies are 51-18 overall in Ollie's two years.

With Ollie's success, he'll eventually become a hot commodity on open job market both in the NBA and college game. It would be difficult for Ollie to leave his alma mater at this stage of his coaching career.

"I love this university and want to be here for a long time," Ollie said.

News and notes

UConn, which shot 88 percent from foul line in first four NCAA games, converted 10 of 13 (77 percent) ... By rallying from a 12-point deficit, UConn tied for the fourth largest comeback in a national semifinal game. …. Napier took only six shots, his low for an NCAA tournament game this season. He had 12 points and six assists. … The Huskies wore their white UConn Pride t-shirts during the national anthem. … They improved to 37-8 in their last 12 NCAA trips dating back to 1999. … Calhoun sat in a row with present and former coaches, including Tom Izzo, Lute Olson, Roy Williams, Denny Crum, John Beilein, Tubby Smith and Mike Montgomery. … Faces in the crowd: Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, former Dallas quarterback Troy Aikman, Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard.

g.keefe@theday.com