‘Stars of Storrs’ debut in ‘The Basketball Tournament’ ends with second round loss to Penn State alumni

The Stars of Storrs’ inaugural run in The Basketball Tournament came to an end on Monday after the team of mostly UConn men’s basketball alumni suffered a 94-83 loss to the Happy Valley Hoopers in the second round.

Competing for the $1 million winner take all prize for the first time, the Stars of Storrs were never able to put their foot down defensively to stop the Happy Valley Hoopers, a team of Penn State alumni, and make a comeback effort in the Pittsburgh Regional. Though, entering the fourth quarter down 20 points, the collection of former Huskies was able to make a bit of a run before the target score was met to secure the “Elam Ending.”

Ryan Boatright, a 2014 national champion, led the team with 20 points and was crucial during that late run as the teams raced to reach the target score, which is set at eight points more than the leading score midway through the fourth quarter. Boatright hit five 3-pointers on 10 attempts while dishing seven assists. R.J. Cole , who had 15 points in the dominant opening round win over the Herkimer Originals, added 17 on Monday night in addition to his team-best six rebounds. T.J. Maston, the ringer who played at Baylor, was the only other player to reach double figure scoring as he finished with 15 points.

It was another ringer, 7-footer Seth Maxwell, who got the Stars of Storrs going early as he scored the team’s first six points. But Maxwell, who played at NAIA Indiana Wesleyan, scored just two points the rest of the game and wasn’t able to make up for the team’s rebounding deficiency.

The second quarter turned out to be a decisive one.

As much as the broadcasters pleaded for defense to be played, the Stars of Storrs couldn’t muster the energy to stop the sharp shooters from Penn State. Happy Valley broke open its lead by outscoring the Stars of Storrs 25-9 in the second quarter; its leading scorer, Greg Lee, finished with 22 points on 7 of 10 shooting from the 3-point line.

While its run ended quickly, about a week after it began, Stars of Storrs general manager and UConn booster Marc D’Amelio hopes participation in the event can draw more ex-Huskies to join the team, which is coached by UConn’s all-time leading scorer Chris Smith. The Basketball Tournament has also hinted at potentially hosting a regional in Connecticut next year.