By The Associated Press

NEW YORK - Connecticut played to its No. 1 ranking Friday night, manhandling overmatched Utah 76-44 to take third place in the Preseason NIT.

It was small consolation for UConn, stunned in the semifinals by Georgia Tech 77-61. In the title game, Georgia Tech beat Texas Tech 85-65.

Emeka Okafor scoring 15 points in the first half, missing just one of eight shots. He finished with 21 points and seven rebounds. Denham Brown added 19, hitting all eight shots for UConn (3-1), which ran off 13 straight points in the game's opening minutes.

Nick Jacobson hit four 3-pointers in the second half and led Utah (3-1) with 19 points.

Utah never had a chance, managing just three field goals in the first 14 1/2 minutes and facing a 37-13 deficit at halftime.

No. 22 Pittsburgh 83, Albany 54

PITTSBURGH - Carl Krauser scored 16 of his career-high 22 points in the second half as No. 22 Pittsburgh won its 25th straight home game.

Julius Page scored 16 points, Antonio Graves added 11 and Chris Taft 10 for Pitt (4-0), which has the fourth-longest home winning streak in Division I.

Levi Levine scored 16 points for Albany (0-2).

No. 25 N.C. State 92, Florida A&M 62

RALEIGH, N.C. - Scooter Sherrill scored 22 points and Julius Hodge added 16 as No. 25 North Carolina State improved to 60-6 at home against nonconference opponents under eighth-year coach Herb Sendek.

Levi Watkins scored 15 for the Wolfpack (3-0), who also improved to 19-0 against teams from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

Terrence Woods scored 12 points to lead the Rattlers (0-3).