Geno Auriemma and the Huskies return home to celebrate their title in Storrs, Conn.
Geno Auriemma credits the Huskies' defense for the win. The Huskies celebrate their national championship. Shea Ralph drives the lane and gets the hoop and the harm. Shea Ralph says a national championship has been the ultimate goal.Associated Press WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn. -- Connecticut welcomed home a basketball champion for the second year in a row, turning out in force to greet the Huskies' women's team Monday. The UConn women earned their second NCAA title with a 71-52 victory over Tennessee Sunday night at Philadelphia. The men won their first championship last year, 77-74 over Duke. Nancy Discipio brought her 64-year-old mother, Mary McCorsin, and her daughters -- Jenna, 9, and Taylor, 6 -- to Bradley International Airport to welcome the Huskies' charter jet. Discipio, 34, of East Granby, said she took her daughters out of school for the day. "It's a holiday at our house," she said. Coach Geno Auriemma paid tribute to his players. "It's not about talent," Auriemma said. "It's about the heart, the emotion and the passion that we play with." A rally was scheduled later Monday on UConn's main campus at Storrs. At Gampel Pavilion Sunday night, about 2,000 fans watched on big-screen televisions as the Huskies improved their record to 36-1. The only loss was to Tennessee during the regular season. "This is elation. This is exciting. I'm so proud that our UConn women's team is No. 1," said Joanne Lewis, director of counseling services at UConn. "I'm so thrilled to see our team bring home the trophy," she added, furiously waving her blue and white pompom as the final seconds ticked off. Unlike previous games against Tennessee, the title game was not close. That was fine with the fans, many of whom had watched the Lady Vols hand UConn its only loss of the season Feb. 2 at Gampel. As the Huskies opened a 21-point lead early in the second half Sunday, UConn freshman Steve Ogden jumped out of his seat at Gampel. "We got 'em! We got 'em! They look unstoppable," Ogden said. "Us beating Tennessee just makes it great. It's such a rivalry." Charles Shea, a retired state worker, said he and his wife, Beverly, made the 45-minute drive from their Southington home Sunday for one reason. "That was to see Tennessee lose," he said. Just in case the Huskies needed more help than their deep bench could deliver, Beverly Shea came prepared. During a timeout late in the game, she pulled a gold chain with a cross from around her neck to show a visitor. "I'm praying for them,," she said. With two minutes left and UConn up by 23, Dave Andrade began working the crowd. "It's all over! It's all over!" the UConn senior shouted. He knew it. They knew it. And Tennessee knew it, too. "I'm loving it," Andrade said. "I'm loving every minute of it." |
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