Thomas Welsh patted the area around his heart before pointing to the roaring UCLA student section behind the baseline. He then turned toward the students on the other side of the court and repeated the gesture before hugging former teammate Isaac Hamilton, who had risen from his courtside seat to share in the moment.
Welsh ensured it was a fond farewell in his final home game Saturday night. The senior center sank a three-pointer as part of a late push that helped the Bruins emerge with a wild 86-78 overtime victory over Oregon at Pauley Pavilion.
"I really can't put it into words," Welsh said.