NEWARK, N.J. — Hasheem Thabeet had career-highs of 25 points and 20 rebounds and just missed his second triple-double in two weeks with nine blocks, helping No. 1 Connecticut win its 13th straight game, 62-54 over Seton Hall today.

The 7-foot-3 Thabeet was 10-for-13 from the field and dominated again inside for the Huskies (24-1, 12-1 Big East), who matched the 1995-96 team for the best start in school history.

Thabeet had 11 points, 15 rebounds and a career-high 10 blocks against Providence in Jan. 31. He's been an intimidating force inside all season, but especially over the last six games.

Jeff Adrien had 14 points and 15 rebounds — his 44th career double-double — for Connecticut, which finished with a 55-43 rebounds advantage and blocked 11 shots. The Huskies have led the nation in blocks the last seven seasons and are second in Division I with an average of 7.4.

John Garcia had a career-high 22 points and grabbed 15 rebounds for the Pirates (14-10, 5-7), who had won their last six, all in the Big East. Robert Mitchell had eight points and 15 rebounds for Seton Hall, which shot 31.2 percent (24-for-77) for the game.

This was Connecticut's first game since losing second-leading scorer Jerome Dyson. The junior guard, who was averaging 13.2 points and is one of the team's most effective outside shooters, tore the lateral meniscus in his right knee against Syracuse on Wednesday. He will undergo surgery Tuesday and likely miss the rest of the season.

Connecticut led 33-23 at halftime and had its biggest lead of the game at 47-35 on a tip-in by Thabeet with 13:29 to play. The Huskies would match that lead three more times but couldn't put Seton Hall away, as the 6-9 Garcia found a way to score inside, something no one else on the Pirates could do.

Connecticut hurt itself by going 15-for-27 from the free throw line and neither team could connect from 3-point range, with the Huskies going 3-for-8 and the Pirates 2-for-15.

Connecticut, which has been on top of the poll for the past two weeks, is 40-7 when ranked No. 1. Seton Hall fell to 0-11 all-time against top-ranked teams.

The Huskies have won nine in a row over Seton Hall and 23 of 25. Connecticut won the earlier meeting this season, 76-61.