UConn honors Sandy Hook victims, breezes past Maryland-Eastern Shore

UConn did exactly what they were expected to on the court last night, cruising past Maryland-Eastern Shore 84-50 in their first game back since finals and since the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School on Friday. I didn't get a chance to see the pregame ceremony honoring Friday's victims, but by all accounts it was well done. I've linked to several reports of it below. UConn also endowed a scholarship for all of the current students at Sandy Hook and Geno Auriemma donated $80,000 to kick it off.

As for the basketball, it went exactly like it was supposed to: very well. Maryland-Eastern Shore is one of the worst teams in college basketball (KenPom has them at 343 out of 350 after last night's game) and are currently 0-10 on the season. Even worse for them, their starting point guard and leading scorer missed the game with a back injury.

The Hawks shouldn't have been able to keep it close and thanks to a barrage of outside shooting they weren't able to. UConn was 10-19 from beyond the arc and shot an unbelievably good 66 percent for the game. A lot of that was thanks to Ryan Boatright, who was 5-6 from beyond the arc and 8-10 from the floor overall, including a showstopping breakaway dunk. The Huskies will be in action next on Friday when they host Fordham at the XL Center.

The New Haven Register Blogs: UConn Men's Basketball Blog: UConn Honored Newtown Victims Both as Team and Individually Monday Night
Ollie added he'd like his team to visit Newtown sometime after Christmas to conduct a practice, a youth clinic, an autograph session or "something, for the kids." The Huskies honored the victims Sunday night at a vigil in Mansfield, and again tonight in many ways, both as a team and individually.

Notes/Quotes from UMES: "We’re going to continue to not just have moments, but have a movement where we can stop this violence." - UConn Basketball - Connecticut News
UConn paid tribute to the 26 Sandy Hook elementary victims with a moment of silence before Monday’s game versus Maryland Eastern Shore. The players and cheerleaders — some holding candles — stood in a circle around the XL center midcourt logo during the national anthem. Each Husky had a "SH" (for Sandy Hook) embroidered on their uniforms. Ryan Boatright had the school’s initial written on his left cheek, and Shabazz Napier warmed up in a "Sandy Hook 26″ T-Shirt.

UConn Establishes Memorial Scholarship to Honor Victims of Newtown School Shootings | UConn Today
The Sandy Hook School Memorial Scholarship Fund at the University of Connecticut will cover college costs for students who currently attend the elementary school, as well as siblings of those killed in the assault and dependents of teachers and other adults who also lost their lives, who are accepted to attend the University in the future.

UConn 84, Maryland Eastern Shore 50 - UConn Basketball - Connecticut News
The 3-point line proved to be UConn’s friend once again. The backcourt trio of Boatright, Shabazz Napier and Omar Calhoun canned its first eight 3-point attempts. Calhoun, a 6-foot-5 freshman, finished with a career-high 22.