University of Connecticut Athletics
Huskies Hold First Night On Friday
10/17/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Box Score
STORRS, Conn. - The UConn men's and women's basketball teams held their annual First Night event Friday night, as the two defending national champions were showcased to a full-capacity crowd at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. The night featured a player autograph session, a performance by the Connecticut Drumline, crowd giveaways and a scrimmage between Team Kevin and Team Geno, which were previously determined by a fan vote.
Following player introductions, men's basketball coach Kevin Ollie and women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma addressed the fans before the scrimmage began. Ollie thanked the UConn faithful for sticking with the team last season, and Auriemma discussed what an honor it's been to coach the Huskies.
The Game
Team Geno edged Team Kevin, 38-37, in the 20-minute scrimmage behind 10 points from senior guard Ryan Boatright (Aurora, Ill.) and sophomore center Amida Brimah (Accra, Ghana). Redshirt sophomore guard Rodney Purvis (Raleigh, N.C.), who matched Boatright's and Brimah's 10 points on Friday, had a chance to win it for Team Ollie in the end but his three-point attempt at the buzzer rimmed out.
Freshman guard Kia Nurse's (Hamilton, Ontario) four points on the night led all women's players, while freshman forward Rakim Lubin (Miami, Fla,) grabbed a game-high six rebounds. Juniors Omar Calhoun (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and Phillip Nolan (Milwaukee, Wis.) both added six points for Team Kevin in the loss.
UConn Head Coach Geno Auriemma
On what this day means to UConn
"I think it's a big day for a lot of people here at UConn. You don't get the chance to celebrate one national championship, never mind two national championships, and you don't really expect to have a building that's as incredible as the building we just saw dedicated today."
On the meaning of what he's done for the school and the state
"The big picture? I don't even know what the big picture is. I'm in the middle of it, so I really don't get a chance to step back. I know what we've done for our program and I know what we've done for the University of Connecticut. What we've done for the state is for the people who live in the state to decide."
UConn Head Coach Kevin Ollie
On tonight
"We're going celebrate tonight. We had a hard practice yesterday, I told the guys to lighten up, work on their dance moves, and just enjoy it. The fans do a wonderful job supporting us every year."
On pre-season practices so far
"I'm pleased. In pre-season practices you have your ups-and-downs. You start putting in plays and a lot of guys are thinking instead of just reacting. As time goes, you practice more, they get an understanding of what I want and what our coaching staff wants, and they get better and better."
