Storrs — Stacey Wetzel was one of five UConn women’s basketball players from Pennsylvania to see action in the Huskies’ first game at Gampel Pavilion on Jan. 31, 1990.

Now married, Stacey Bayley is the only one that didn’t stay in Connecticut post-graduation. She lives in Colorado.

“You have to make money,” she said with a smile.

But friendship has no price so that’s why it was important to her to return to her alma mater Sunday and be part of the celebration of Gampel Pavilion’s 30th anniversary. She and the 1989-90 team sat behind the bench as UConn routed Tulsa 92-34.

“It’s been so great to see everyone and meet their kids and their spouses,” Bayley said. “I’ve been staying with Meghan (Pattyson) Culmo since Friday so we’ve thought back to a lot of good times. The best part of being here was just walking into the reception area and seeing everyone again for the first time.”

Every player but one — Heidi Robbins — was here Sunday and each was introduced to the crowd of 8,240. They were greeted at center court by coaches Geno Auriemma and Chris Dailey.

“Coming back here and being together with the entire team has been an incredible experience,” said Kerry Bascom, who became the Huskies’ first All-American in 1991. “I haven’t gotten to see a lot of them over the past 25, 30 years. To come back and talk about the old days, which is a long time ago but seems like yesterday, and coming from the Field House over to Gampel and the atmosphere and what the program has become is an accomplishment for all of us.”

UConn beat Georgetown 76-54 in its Gampel debut before a then-record crowd of 3,151. Bascom led the way with 23 points and 10 rebounds while Bristol native Kathy Ferrier went 8-for-9 from the floor for 19 points. The Huskies led 41-10 with 6:40 left in the first half.

They would finish 25-6, sharing the Big East regular season title with Providence but losing the tournament final to the Friars here. They received a first-round bye in the NCAA Tournament but fell to Clemson 61-59 as Bascom’s 3-point try to win it at the buzzer hit the rim.

“When I go back into the memory book, that’s definitely one I should have made,” Bascom said. “When we’re reminiscing and thinking about it … You know, I hope I made some big shots in my career but that one will linger with me as I let down our team. We had come so far.

“But to come back to see all the other big shots that have been and missed here throughout the years, to be a part of it and still feel like you’re a part of it after all these years is just an incredible thing that Coach Auriemma has built here.”

The next year, Bascom would complete a three-point play with 19 seconds left to give UConn its first NCAA Tournament win, 81-80, over Toledo here. Since the Huskies would go on to make their first Final Four appearance in 1991, did that play make up for the miss against Clemson?

“Absolutely!” Bascom said with a smile.