Jerome Dyson scored 32 points in his season debut, and No. 12 Connecticut breezed to an 88-50 exhibition victory over UMass Lowell on Sunday. Kemba Walker scored 15 points and had seven assists for the Huskies, who begin the regular season Friday night against William & Mary. Max Kerman scored 14 to lead the River Hawks, a Division II team that went 21-8 last season. UConn went on a 13-0 run midway through the first half to pull away from a 17-17 tie. Walker began the run by hitting the second of two free throws and Dyson, who also had six assists, then scored the next 12 points. His dunk with 6:17 left put UConn ahead 30-17. Dyson was 7 of 10 from the field in the first half and scored 20 points. The senior guard, who tore his meniscus in February, missed the remainder of UConn's Final Four season while going through five months of rehabilition. He also missed UConn's 106-67 exhibition win over American International College on Nov. 4 due to a review of documents pertaining to his annual eligibility review. The school announced Friday that the review had been completed and Dyson and junior guard Donnell Beverly were cleared to play. Freshman forward Jamal Coombs-McDaniel still did not play for the Huskies. He's practicing with the team but is still waiting for the NCAA to grant his initial eligibility. UConn is also without freshman forward Ater Majok, who will become eligible Dec. 20 after sitting out the first semester. |