Fans turn out for Ute homecoming

Utah lost more than a trip to the Final Four in Monday's 75-65 overtime setback to Maryland. The Utes also said goodbye to seniors Kim Smith, Shona Thorburn and Julie Larsen.

"Excuse me if I cry, OK? Here's the deal with all three of those kids . . . what we've done in this four-year span is actually the best four-year span we've ever had," Utah coach Elaine Elliott said. "I coach at Utah because of the love I have for a lot of things about being here. It's not about one thing. It's not about winning at the highest level. I love being here, and they provided that kind of ride for me."

Utah won 101 games with Smith, Thorburn and Larsen on the team. The impressive tally includes five NCAA tournament victories and produced a share of four Mountain West Conference titles.

When asked to put it in perspective after her final game, Thorburn declined.

"No," she said. "It's too emotional."

Tears, and lots of them, flowed after Monday's heartbreaking loss. The most successful era in Utah women's basketball history came to an end as soon as the final horn sounded.

The trio also made its mark individually.

• Smith, a four-time conference player of the year, upped her career scoring record — both school and league — to 2,281 points.

• Thorburn, who shared league MVP honors with Smith a year ago, raised her all-time assists mark to 689 in her final game.

• Larsen finished the season as the nation's top 3-point shooter. She made more than 50 percent (69-of-137) of her shots from beyond the arc.

The contributions, which include numerous other accolades, set the pace for Utah's deepest run into the NCAA tournament.

"I'm blessed to be on a team like this. Especially with the three seniors. They're great leaders," freshman Morgan Warburton said after Utah's 57-54 win over Boston College in the Sweet 16. "I love playing with them."

An appreciative crowd of fans greeted the Utes at the Huntsman Center upon their return to Salt Lake City Tuesday. The congratulatory gathering featured remarks by Elliott and the seniors.

It likely won't be the last thing Utah fans hear from them. Record-setters Smith and Thorburn have accepted invitations to the coming WNBA scouting combine.

Prior to this year's run to the Elite Eight, only the 2001 Utes had made it as far as the Sweet 16.

UTE NOTES: Larsen will represent the Utes one more time Thursday when she takes part in the College Basketball 3-Point Shooting Championships at Butler University's Hinkle Fieldhouse as part of the NCAA Men's Final Four Festivities.

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E-mail: dirk@desnews.com