Sacred Heart started strong but struggled with their shooting, finishing 9 for 34 from beyond the arc over their first two games.

Looking ahead, Sacred Heart will face Dartmouth on November 9, while UConn is set to host New Hampshire on the same day.

UConn showcased a strong defensive performance with 10 steals and 11 blocked shots, alongside 14 offensive rebounds during the match.

In their season opener, No. 3 UConn secured a decisive 92-56 victory against Sacred Heart, with Alex Karaban leading the way.

Karaban delivered an outstanding performance, scoring 20 points, grabbing 7 rebounds, blocking 7 shots, and dishing out 6 assists.

Liam McNeeley and Tarris Reed also made significant contributions, with McNeeley recording 18 points and 10 rebounds, while Reed added 15 points and 11 rebounds.

Solo Ball chipped in 16 points, helping UConn dominate the boards with a 47-25 rebound advantage.

A pivotal moment came late in the first half when UConn went on a 16-6 run, allowing them to take a 46-31 lead into halftime.

Head coach Dan Hurley praised Karaban's performance, noting he played like an All-American and effectively organized the team.

Hurley emphasized the need for patience as the team develops, acknowledging they cannot be directly compared to last year's championship squad.

Before the game, UConn celebrated their 2023-24 national championship by unveiling a banner and featuring video messages from four players who were drafted into the NBA.

For Sacred Heart, Amiri Stewart and Bryce Johnson were the top scorers, finishing with 13 and 10 points respectively, as the team fell to 0-2 this season.