The Connecticut Huskies got by American International in their first exhibition game of the year and head coach Kevin Ollie's debut on the sidelines, 78-63, on Thursday night.

American International held a 29-28 lead at the break, outshooting the Huskies from the floor, 40.7 to 37.9 percent. The opening half was as relatively even as the score indicates, with each team committing 10 turnovers apiece and getting eight points from their respective benches.

Connecticut pulled away in the second half, however, outscoring the Yellow Jackets, 50-34, by getting to the free-throw line more (14 of 18 compared to American International's 4 of 5) and getting a big bench effort, as the Huskies subs contributed 21 points in the half, compared to the Yellow Jackets' seven.

Omar Calhoun led Connecticut with 24 points on 8 of 14 shooting from the floor, adding six rebounds as well.

Connecticut's next exhibition game is Sunday against the University of Massachusetts-Lowell. The Huskies begin their regular season slate on Nov. 9 against the Michigan State Spartans on the Ramstein Air Base in Germany.