A 26-6 run to open the second half powered UConn to a 84-50 blowout victory over Maryland Eastern Shore Monday night at the XL Center.

The Huskies move to 8-2 while Maryland Eastern Shore drops to 0-10.

STAR OF THE GAME: Ryan Boatright went off for a season-high 21 points, which included five 3-pointers and one monster dunk on a fastbreak, opening up a 65-33 lead over the lowly Hawks.

KEY TO THE WIN: 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.

*The Huskies held a pregame moment of silence for the 26 victims of the Sandy Hook elementary school shooting. The players and cheerleaders — holding candles — stood in a circle around the midcourt logo as the XL Center honored the victims. Each UConn player had “SH” embroidered on their jerseys, and Boatright wore the initials of the school on his left cheek.

*Shabazz Napier, who has endured several long scoreless stretches this season, did not attempt a field goal until 7:40 remained in the first half. His shot—a straightaway 3-pointer—gave UConn a 24-14 advantage, its first double-digit lead. Operating the point more than usual, Napier dished out eight assists and needed just four field goals attempts to score 11 points.

*The advantage on the boards went to Maryland Eastern Shore, 30-26. Tyler Olander was held scoreless and without a single rebound in 12 minutes.

*R.J. Evans did not play. A redshirt senior, Evans suffered a sternalclavicular sprain during a Thanksgiving Day practice. After missing two games, he returned for a Dec. 4 clash with N.C. State, but only managed seven minutes versus Harvard last Friday. It’s possible the injury is still bothering him, which would explain the DNP.

Up Next: vs. Fordham, Dec. 22 (7 p.m., XL Center)

In an effort to honor the 26 victims of the Newtown tragedy, UConn will wear a patch on its jerseys for tonight’s clash with winless Maryland Eastern Shore.

*UConn reaction to Newtown tragedy

WHEN: Today, 7

WHERE: XL Center, Hartford

RECORDS: UMES 0-9, UConn 7-2

ON THE AIR: SNY; WTIC-AM 1080

STORY LINES

CENTER OF ATTENTION: Even though he had zero rebounds versus Harvard, Enosch Wolf still worked with the first team in Sunday’s practice. He beat Tyler Olander out for the starting job following a 12-point, nine-rebound effort against N.C. State. It will be interesting to monitor how Kevin Ollie divvies up the minutes at center.

AVOIDING A LETDOWN: UConn has played to its opponent thus far, as evidenced by a brutal 61-53 victory over lowly New Hampshire. Ollie hopes to see complete focus against winless Maryland Eastern Shore. “I want (our players) to respect their opponents, and by respecting the opponent, they’ll come out with effort and energy,” Ollie said. “When you come out and respect, you come out full throttle. You come out with defense, you play offense hard and you go home.”

CONFERENCE REALIGNMENT: Ollie briefly touched on the departures of seven Big East Catholic schools. “I hate to see them go, but they made a pact for themselves that they’re going forward and they’re trying to do what’s best for our university,” Ollie said. “You can’t blame them. We will miss them, but we have to figure out what we’re going to do. And I think we’re going to do that soon. I know we’re working very, very hard and our president and AD will get us in the best situation.”

In an effort to honor the 26 victims of the Newtown tragedy, UConn will wear a patch on its jerseys for tonight’s clash with winless Maryland Eastern Shore.

A few quick reads before tip:

*UConn reaction to Newtown tragedy

*R.J. Evans and his sister, Kastine, make a difference in the community

WHEN: Today, 7

WHERE: XL Center, Hartford

RECORDS: UMES 0-9, UConn 7-2

ON THE AIR: SNY; WTIC-AM 1080

Maryland Eastern Shore

Louis Bell G 6-4 Jr.: 7 pts, 3 rebs vs. Cincinnati

Kyree Jones G 6-2 So.: 25 pts vs. Cincinnati

Ishaq Pitt G 6-3 So.: 6.6 ppg, 3.7 rpg

Troy Snyder F 6-6 Jr.: 12.1 ppg, 6.4 rpg

Ronald Spencer F 6-9 Jr.: 6.3 ppg, 5.9 rpg

Donald Williams G 6-4 Jr.: 18.2 % from field

Dominique Cowell G 5-7 Fr.: 1.8 ppg

UConn

Ryan Boatright G 5-10 So.: 17.6 ppg in past 3 games

Shabazz Napier G 6-0 Jr..: Single digits in 2 of past 3 games

Omar Calhoun G 6-5 Fr.: Five pts in past 2 games

DeAndre Daniels F 6-8 So.: Career-high 23 pts vs. Harvard

Enosch Wolf C 7-1 Jr.: Zero rebs vs. Harvard

Tyler Olander F 6-9 Jr.: 0-2 from FT in past five games combined

Niels Giffey F 6-7 Jr.: Six pts in past 70 minutes

R.J. Evans G 6-3 R-Sr.: Scoreless in seven mins vs. Harvard

Phil Nolan F 6-9 Fr.: Has not played in past two games

STORY LINES

CENTER OF ATTENTION: Even though he had zero rebounds versus Harvard, Enosch Wolf still worked with the first team in Sunday’s practice. He beat Tyler Olander out for the starting job following a 12-point, nine-rebound effort against N.C. State. It will be interesting to monitor how Kevin Ollie divvies up the minutes at center.

AVOIDING A LETDOWN: UConn has played to its opponent thus far, as evidenced by a brutal 61-53 victory over lowly New Hampshire. Ollie hopes to see complete focus against winless Maryland Eastern Shore. “I want (our players) to respect their opponents, and by respecting the opponent, they’ll come out with effort and energy,” Ollie said. “When you come out and respect, you come out full throttle. You come out with defense, you play offense hard and you go home.”

CONFERENCE REALIGNMENT: Ollie briefly touched on the departures of seven Big East Catholic schools. “I hate to see them go, but they made a pact for themselves that they’re going forward and they’re trying to do what’s best for our university,” Ollie said. “You can’t blame them. We will miss them, but we have to figure out what we’re going to do. And I think we’re going to do that soon. I know we’re working very, very hard and our president and AD will get us in the best situation.”