MAUI, Hawaii -- Oklahoma State found out how difficult life can be without point guard Jawun Evans a year ago.

Life is good, again, with Evans healthy and having himself some kind of start to the season.

Evans fueled a surge from the start for the Cowboys Monday night, finishing with 35 points, six assists and five steals in a 98-90 win over Connecticut at the Maui Invitational. The sophomore and reigning Big 12 Freshman of the Year, suffered a season-ending shoulder injury last season, and the Cowboys lost 10 of their final 11 games without him.

Adding an early statement win to a 4-0 start, Oklahoma State bolted to an 18-3 lead and never relented, rolling behind Evans and a smothering defense that forced 18 turnovers.

UConn made a late run, cutting into OSU's biggest lead -- 19 points in the second half -- getting within four in the final minute.

The Cowboys move on to face the winner of Monday night's late North Carolina-Chaminade game at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday. UConn plays the North Carolina-Chaminade loser at 2:30 p.m.

The Huskies, ranked No. 18 to open the season, fell to 1-3 and were forced to play short-handed. UConn was already without point guard Alterique Gilbert, who dislocated a shoulder last week and has been ruled out of the team's three games in Maui. They suffered another blow when leading scorer Terry Larrier went out barely eight minutes into the game with a sprained left knee and didn't return.

Guard Jalen Adams led the Huskies with 34 points, while guard Rodney Purvis added 20 and guard Vance Jackson 13.

Along with Evans, guards Phil Forte and Jeffrey Carroll each had 18 for the Cowboys, while forward Cameron McGriff added 13.

Oklahoma State led 40-26 at the half behind Evans and its defense.

The Cowboys picked UConn for 14 steals in the first 20 minutes -- an OSU record for a half -- and scored 17 points off the turnovers.

Evans led all scorers with 18 points and added three rebounds, three steals and two assists through 20 minutes.