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Celebration in Storrs Connecticut fans savor third title in four yearsPosted: Wednesday April 09, 2003 12:42 AMSTORRS, Conn. (AP) -- Hundreds of fans cheered and stomped at Gampel Pavilion Tuesday night in front of giant screen TVs as the University of Connecticut women's basketball team repeated as national champions. UConn beat Tennessee 73-68 in Atlanta for its third national title in four years. About 1,500 raucous students watched the game on three giant screen TVs. During commercial breaks, the UConn band played, cheerleaders cheered and people bit their nails until the final buzzer sounded. The game was too close for some fans. "I don't want to jinx them. Our girls are strong, but I'm not going to make any predictions," said Maria Loyeva, 19, who rattled two pompoms each time UConn scored. The game was often drowned out by cheering and stomping feet. UConn senior Ryan Williams, 21, sat with a couple of friends, leaning forward in his seat, wishing he and everyone else in Gampel Pavilion could be in Atlanta. "If they could feel the energy in this place they'd be running away with the game," he said. "I don't know, maybe they can feel the energy." Mike Lawofford, 23, got swept up in the emotion of the moment, screaming and stomping his feet each time a UConn player scored a bucket. "I don't know, but I think their youth could be a problem for them down the stretch. I hope it doesn't happen," he said. "They've got to stop tossing up those 3-pointers when they don't have to. And they have rebound better." The Huskies had few problems down the stretch and held on to win. "Thank you, Lord," shouted an elated Loyeva at the close of the game. I knew they would do it!" The team was expected to arrive at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks at about 12:45 p.m. Wednesday. Head coach Geno Auriemma was expected to briefly address the airport crowd at Route 75 and Firehouse Road before the team left for Gampel Pavilion, where a homecoming rally was scheduled for 2:45 p.m. A victory rally and parade are scheduled for Thursday at 6 p.m. at the state Capitol, rain or shine. |
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