UConn G #11 Ryan Boatright slams home two of his 24 points against Bryant at Gampel Pavilion on November 14, 2014.

UConn G #11 Ryan Boatright slams home two of his 24 points against Bryant at Gampel Pavilion on November 14, 2014.

The UConn Huskies men’s basketball team got their 2014 National Championship rings before Friday night’s season opener. And as another chapter in UConn Basketball history closed, a new one got started.

The Bryant Bulldogs did their best to spoil the Huskies fun but in the end, UConn’s defense was too much as they rallied back for a 66-53 win in front of an announced sell-out crowd at Gampel Pavilion.

It was the season opener for the Huskies out of the American Athletic Conference and the Bulldogs out of the Northeast Conference.

Ryan Boatright led the way for UConn with 24 points, eight rebounds, five assists and four steals. Amidah Brimah added 12 points and five rebounds while Sam Cassell Jr. had 10 points.

Freshman Daniel Hamilton had nine points and seven boards in his first career game. Kentan Facey led the Huskies with 12 rebounds to go along with five points.

Bryant was led by Dyami Starks who had 18 points and six rebounds. Dan Garvin added 10 points while Joe O’Shea had a team-high seven rebounds to go along with five points.

photo credit: ian bethune