Storrs — The surge of energy flowing through UConn on Saturday generated enough power to light up the entire state of Connecticut.

The energized Huskies charged from behind to secure its season-high third straight victory, beating Tulane, 78-68, in an American Athletic Conference game at Gampel Pavilion.

Foul trouble didn't deter the Huskies. Neither did fatigue.

"When everyone plays with energy, we're unstoppable," senior Amida Brimah said.

UConn overcame all that adversity, plus a 13-point first-half deficit, to climb to 10-11 overall, 5-4 in the AAC. The Huskies are above .500 in league play for the first time this season.

All three wins during the streak came with only six healthy scholarship players available.

"Three games, three wins in a week with six guys, that's my definition of perseverance," coach Kevin Ollie said. "How they did that by cheering each other on, encouraging each other, practicing hard, it's just a phenomenal feat by these guys." 

Senior Kentan Facey (20 points, 12 rebounds) and Brimah (a season-high 18 points, eight rebounds, five blocks) led the way before both fouling out late in the game.

Freshman Christian Vital had 14 points and career highs for rebounds (10) and assists (five) while senior Rodney Purvis had 14 points and sophomore Jalen Adams added eight points and six assists.

UConn took a 2-0 edge and then never led again until about halfway through the second half.

The Huskies bolted ahead for good with an impressive 17-0 blitz starting with just over seven minutes left. Facey's athletic tip-in pushed UConn ahead 57-56 with 7:03 left. Purvis buried a three on the next trip.

They excelled on the defensive end, too, holding the Green Wave without a field goal for almost seven minutes.

An Adams steal fueled a fast break, as he sent Purvis on a solo journey. Purvis finished it off with a dunk and then let out a scream. The Huskies led 66-56 with 3:46 left. Facey had eight points during the key spurt that started with Brimah on the bench with four fouls.

"We just knew we had to punch back," Facey said.

The Huskies would not be denied.

The night started with the expected news that reserves Steven Enoch (foot) and Juwan Durham (ankle) would be out again.

UConn stumbled out of the blocks before gradually picking up speed, recovering from a 13-point deficit to trail by just 36-34 at intermission. Not a good sign considering the Huskies were 1-7 this season when down at the break.

Still, they were fortunate to be so close considering they shot 31.3 percent (10-for-32) while Purvis and Adams combined to go 2-for-14 and had just five points.

Other Huskies picked up the scoring slack, as Vital (10 points), Brimah (10 points) and Facey (eight) helped fuel a 21-10 spurt that started with UConn down 26-13. They also cut back on their turnovers, committing all seven in the first nine minutes.

Brimah was a beast, playing with energy and enthusiasm on both ends. But he battled foul trouble all night, playing just 21 minutes.

It didn't matter.

UConn finished shooting 37.9 percent but went 30 for 35 from the foul line. The Huskies won the rebounding battle, 50-36.Tulane shot just 36.2 percent. The Green Wave (4-17, 1-8) lost for the fifth straight game.

"We're still standing after all the things we've been through this whole season," Ollie said. "We're still believing in each other. It's just their will. I just appreciate their effort."

The Huskies will be off a week before visiting first-place Cincinnati on Saturday.

g.keefe@theday.com