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GREENVILLE, N.C. (AP) — After missing seven games with a sprained ligament in his knee, Connecticut senior guard Jalen Adams was adamant about playing Sunday.
He told coach Danny Hurley that he wanted to wear the UConn jersey again, then took the Huskies' offense to a higher level in an 82-73 defeat of East Carolina at Minges Coliseum. Adams tied his career high with 12 assists and scored 13 points in the regular-season finale for both teams. Teammates Josh Carlton (20 points), Tyler Polley (19 points) and Christian Vital (16 points) all benefited from having Adams back in the lineup as the Huskies (15-16, 6-12 American Athletic Conference) won on an opponent's home floor for the first time this season.
"Being at one school for four years, it's only right you get to put on the jersey to close out the end of the season," Adams said. "It just meant a lot to be out there with my brothers. It's probably my last time to be playing on a team where everyone genuinely cares for me and loves me. After this, it's probably going to be just business."
ECU (10-20, 3-15) got 20 points from Shawn Williams and 18 points and 11 assists from senior guard Isaac Fleming on senior day. The Pirates trailed just 64-62 after a basket by Jayden Gardner with 5:36 left.
But the Pirates didn't make another field goal until just 57 seconds remained.
"When it's a two-point game you need to play safer and make easier plays and make sure you're getting a shot every time," said ECU coach Joe Dooley. "With the exception of turning the ball over, I thought we were pretty efficient offensively."
UConn also was careless with the basketball at times, committing 15 turnovers. But with Adams back in the lineup, the Huskies shot a season-high 62.5 percent from the field and also made 16 of their 19 free throws.
Carlton, the 6-foot-10 center who dominated in the low post, was the team's most efficient shooter, making 8 of 9 from the field. Polley scored 16 of his 19 points in the second half, when he shot 4 of 5 from 3-point range. And Sidney Wilson, who scored 10 points off the bench, was 5 of 6 from the field.
Hurley said a lot of the credit belongs to Adams.
"You saw the difference in some of the transition situations today," Hurley said. "When he had it, it ended up in dunks and 3s, as opposed to the last couple games when they turned into offensive fouls and missed layups. His IQ, his feel, and then the attention he draws opened things up."
Adams, who was averaging a team-high 16.9 points per game when he was injured, watched with anticipation as his teammates grew into more prominent roles in his absence. On Sunday, he provided a glimmer of hope for better results in the postseason as the Huskies showed what they're capable of now that he is back in the lineup.
"He's been diligent with his rehab," Hurley said. "He's been diligent with all his work. He's had it on his mind since he was injured that he wanted to wear that uniform again."
BIG PICTURE
UConn: After suffering through a six-game losing streak that took up most of February, the Huskies enter the postseason with a 2-1 record in March. Adams' return should give the team a boost of confidence heading into the American Athletic Conference Tournament.
ECU: The Pirates finished a difficult regular season with nine losses in their final 10 games. Losing junior Seth LeDay (11.0 ppg) to a season-ending knee injury Wednesday night at Wichita State didn't help East Carolina's prognosis entering the postseason.
KEY STAT
The Huskies' 82 points were 11 more than they scored in any of the games Adams missed.
QUICK HITS
Polley tied his career highs for 3-pointers (five) and field goals (seven), and was one point short of his career high for points. ...Carlton, who is from Winterville, N.C., came up one point short of his career high in front of a vocal cheering section. ...East Carolina shot 8 of 15 (53.3 percent) from 3-point range, tying its season-best percentage set against Delaware State in its season opener.
UP NEXT
UConn: Will play an undetermined opponent in the American Athletic Conference Tournament on Thursday in Memphis.
East Carolina: Also plays in the American Athletic Conference Tournament on Thursday in Memphis.
