The second-ranked UConn women's basketball team returns from its 13-day exam break today (7 p.m., SNY) to play Oakland (Mich.) at the XL Center in Hartford.

Prior to the start, a special ceremony will be held at 6:50 p.m. to the honor the memory of 26 people killed in the tragic at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown last Friday.

The Huskies (8-0) haven't played since defeating No. 10 Penn State 67-62 on Dec. 6. Oakland (5-5) is coming off a 77-46 loss to Purdue, a team UConn defeated 91-57 on Nov. 24 at the Paradise Jam tournament in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

UConn will be a bit shorthanded in the frontcourt as coach Geno Auriemma will rest freshman forward Morgan Tuck (bruised right knee) and sophomore center Kiah Strokes (right shin stress fracture).

Sophomore forward Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis leads the balanced Huskies in scoring (16.1 ppg.) and will be joined in the starting lineup by freshman forward Breanna Stewart (15.1), junior center Stefanie Dolson (12.3), senior guard Kelly Faris (9.1) and junior guard Bria Hartley (7.5).

Sophomore guard Brianna Banks is the top player off the bench, averaging 9.7 points per game and shooting 63 percent from the floor.

After tonight's game, the Huskies visit Hartford on Saturday at 1 p.m.

- Day Staff Reports