Senior Gavin Edwards found himself in a strange position in Wednesday night's thriller, shooting a potential game-tying 3-pointer in the final seconds.

In his previous 96 career games, Edwards had never attempted a 3-pointer and never was considered an option to take a big shot with the game on the line.

Edwards missed the desperation shot. No. 14 UConn lost a hard-fought battle with No. 4 Kentucky, 64-61, in the SEC-Big East Invitational at Madison Square Garden.

Edwards is one of several Huskies taking on an expanded role this season. It's been a rocky adjustment at times for some.

Consistent effort is often lacking, but that wasn't the case Wednesday. Throw out the opening four minutes, and the energized Huskies played their best game effort-wise.

"A lot of guys are trying to adjust to spots," coach Jim Calhoun said. "And they've had some problems adjusting, in my opinion, as far as our effort. I demand a great deal of effort. I couldn't be prouder of our effort (Wednesday)."

When needing a last-second basket last year, either A.J. Price or Craig Austrie usually was the designated shooter while Hasheem Thabeet and Jeff Adrien fought for the rebound. All four impact players are gone, leaving less experienced Huskies to step in.

Edwards has excelled in an increased role, going from an unreliable part-time contributor to a productive regular.

His scoring average has climbed from 3.8 to 12.1 points per game. He's scored in double figures seven straight games - one more than his total in his first three seasons. His rebounding numbers increased from 3.0 to 6.0. He's also blocking shots at a higher rate, already within one of last year's total of 27.

"I feel like everything is just coming full circle now," Edwards said. "I'm just kind of fitting into the role that coach knows that I've been able to play. He's been talking since I got here, that he thinks I can be a good player."

Against Kentucky's strong frontcourt, Edwards, an agile 6-foot-9 forward, had 16 points, eight rebounds and three blocks. He regularly beat the defense down the floor on the fast break, using his soft hands to catch a lead pass and finish with a layup.

"He's getting better every day," Calhoun said. "I used to say, 'How much can we leave Gavin in?' Now I can't leave Gavin out. That's an evolution.

"… He runs the floor on every play. There are not many guys in college basketball - any basketball - doing that. He gives you great effort every night. He's a very intelligent player. … It was the most physical effort he's had. He was pretty terrific for us."

To reach this point, Edwards survived a difficult learning process that included dealing with Calhoun's tough-love approach. He says he's a better player because of that.

"I'm definitely glad that he's been tough on me," Edwards said. "He's kind of molded me into the kind of player that I can be. I know if he didn't treat me the way he has, I might not have been as tough as I am or been able to do some of the things that I've been able to do."

Of course, Calhoun will continue to demand more from Edwards, more from all the Huskies (6-2) who'll work on their shortcomings during a 10-day exam break. Free throw shooting remains an issue. The Huskies shot a combined 29-for-52, or 56 percent, in losses to Kentucky and Duke.

The addition of freshman forward Ater Majok, who's eligible to play Dec. 20 against Central Florida, will immediately improve UConn's depth.

The Huskies hope to build off Wednesday's tenacious effort.

"If we start making free throws and just add that to how we played (Wednesday), I think we'll be unstoppable," Edwards said.

g.keefe@theday.com