UConn commits Courtney Ekmark and Saniya Chong each scored more than 20 points while Class of 2015 UConn recruiting target Katie Lou Samuelson surpassed the 30-point mark on day one of the Nike Tournament of Champions.

Ekmark had 24 points to lead defending champion St. Mary's out of Phoenix to a 63-52 win over Orlando's Dr. Phillips in the opening round of play in the Division E bracket.

Chong had 28 points, seven rebounds and 10 assists according to a report by MSG Varsity but her Ossining (N.Y.) squad fell to Mater Dei out of Santa Ana, Calif. 89-67. Ossining led the game in the first quarter and was within striking range before Mater Dei pulled away. Samuelson erupted for 34 points in the game.

Class of 2014 UConn recruiting targets Jordin Canada and Sierra Calhoun were also in action. Although I don't have any individual scoring totals for either player. Canada's Windward School out of Los Angeles defeated E.S. Saint-Laurent out of Quebec 59-30 in Division G while Calhoun and Christ the King from Middle Village, N.Y. lost to St. Mary's from Berkeley, Calif. in the Joe Smith Division.

Play will continue tomorrow. The highlight will be the game between St. Mary's and Mater Dei who are ranked first and third respectively in the latest USA Today national poll. The game is set to be played at 5:30 p.m. local time (7:30 here in Connecticut). The winner will meet either Bishop O'Dowd or Riverdale Baptist for the Division E title on Saturday. Ossining and Dr. Phillips play at 3 p.m. tomorrow, Windward meets Pinnacle at 4:15 p.m. while Christ the King faces La Jolla Country Day at 10 a.m.