Spring Break
Seniors say goodbye to Gampel
Kevin Duffy
Issue date: 3/2/09 Section: Sports
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So did A.J. Price.
Jeff Adrien just flat out dominated.
In the final home game of his career, Adrien scored a season-high 25 points and pulled down nine rebounds for the Huskies in the 72-65 victory. Adrien started the game 6-for-6 from the field and finished 11-for-15, scoring on an array of foul-line jumpshots and strong moves in the post.
"[Adrien] probably had a little extra motivation; he was very active, rebounding and everything," Price said. "He made some great moves in the post. He looked like the player he was at the begginning of the season when he was almost impossible to play one-on-one. When he got it on the block, he scored everytime tonight."
The 25-point outburst - Adrien's first 20-plus point game since a Dec. 26 win over Fairfield - was even more special to Adrien considering the circumstances.
"There is no other way I would ever want to go out," Adrien said. "I want to be remembered like this, as a warrior and someone who worked hard."
The 6-foot-7, 243-pound bruiser concluded his career at Gampel Pavilion by standing in front of the student section and pumping his fist towards the students one last time.
"They deserve it," Adrien said. "They're here every game supporting us. I just wanted to let them know that we appreciate it."
As Adrien riled up the student section, Thabeet "copied" (according to Adrien) Adrien's move by jumping up on the scorer's table and pointing both index fingers toward the air, signaling UConn's soon-to-be No. 1 ranking.
"Let's just say, he likes what I do," Adrien joked.
Thabeet was in disbelief when he learned that Adrien was in fact the first one to pump up the crowd following the victory.
"What? Jeff did that, too?" Thabeet said. "That is whack."
Senior Night for Thabeet, too?
Hasheem Thabeet didn't officially declare for the NBA Draft, but he came extremely close.
"Myself, I know I'm going to miss the guys," Thabeet said. I''ve been around a great group of guys and I love them, you know, I'm going to miss them."
Adrien reads the InstantDaily
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