Storrs – Any concern that highly-favored UConn might take its opponent lightly quickly disappeared on Saturday.

The fifth-ranked Huskies looked locked in and lethal, scoring 17 points in the first five minutes against Long Island University at Gampel Pavilion.

That was just the start of an offensive explosion that ended with UConn securing its most lopsided win of the season, 114-61. Long Island fell to 1-8.

The Huskies (11-0) finished the non-conference portion of their schedule undefeated for the sixth time in school history since joining the Big East in 1979, first since 2010-11. They extended their school record start of winning every game by double figures.

“Thrilled with the maturity and the way the group handled the game,” coach Dan Hurley said. “Obviously, it’s hard to do historical things in a place with all this history. To be the sixth team to get through non-conference undefeated, it’s a great accomplishment. Proud of what they’ve done and excited to get to Big East play.”

From here on out, UConn will play all Big East games, starting with a trip to Indianapolis to play Butler on Saturday, Dec. 17.

Before beginning an exam break, the Huskies took care of business, putting up their most points in a regulation game since routing Morehead State (129-61) on Dec. 23, 2005.

What pleased Hurley is the Huskies didn’t try to just out-talent a weaker team. They looked sharp, shooting a season-best 62.5 percent and draining 14 3-pointers. They also had a season-high 29 assists.

The Huskies believe that they’ve yet to play their best game.

“I don’t think we have,” sophomore Jordan Hawkins said. “What did they shoot like 40 percent from the field? That’s not good enough. … I feel like we haven’t played a full 40 minute game yet on the offensive and defensive end. … We’ve just got to clean some things up. I think our game is coming soon.”

By the way, Long Island shot 42.3 percent from the field.

Everyone took part in the all-you-can-score basketball buffet.

Start with freshman Donovan Clingan, who was unstoppable under the basket, hitting his career-high (17) by halftime and finishing with 21 points on 10 for 10 shooting overall to go with a career-best 11 rebounds in just 15 minutes.

Redshirt freshman Alex Karaban bounced back from two sub-par games to score a career-best (19) while Hawkins (22), Adama Sanogo (16) and Nahiem Alleyne (11) also scored in double figures.

Hawkins made a career-high six 3-pointers out of nine attempts.

The Huskies have opened the season with 11 straight wins for the first time since 2008-09, tying for the fourth best start.

They’ve cruised through its early season schedule, trailing for only 24 minutes, nine seconds out of 400 minutes.

The Huskies weren’t about to let down on Saturday.

“Coach Hurley really emphasizes to keep our focus by the way he runs practice,” Karaban said. “It’s always intense. He’ll let us know if we’re messing up any plays. It starts with coach Hurley and us wanting to keep our momentum going.”

They raced out of the gate riding a 20-2 run to a 25-7 lead. Jackson showed off his freakish athleticism, stealing the ball, spinning past a defender and then going behind his back before finishing with a dunk.

The crowd roared its approval.

UConn’s advantage grew to 30 (46-16) on Sanogo’s basket.

By halftime, the Huskies had a season-high for points by intermission and a 62-27 lead.

Hurley credited Sanogo and Jackson, the team captains, for UConn’s ability to stay focused on a regular basis.

“Their daily approach and work ethic and they set a tone in practice because neither guy wants to get subbed out,” Hurley said. “And each guy is an absolute ruthless competitor and that runs through your team. They put so much pressure on everyone else to show up every day or else they’ll destroy them.”

g.keefe@theday.com