911 Tapes Of UW Basketball Player Collapse

"I keep a smile on my face because I'm so happy to be here," Burt said. "Life is so awesome. I appreciate every little thing." In turn, Burt was appreciated, too. After Washington's starters were introduced, the sophomore guard received a lengthy standing ovation when the public address announcer added her to the lineup as "an honorary sixth starter for the Huskies."

She smiled and waved to the fans as she returned to the bench.

"We knew it was going to be a very emotional evening," Washington coach June Daugherty said. "I think we need to keep taking this one day at a time and enjoy the fact that Kayla is back with us."

Burt's heart stopped beating on New Year's Eve and five teammates kept her alive with CPR and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation until paramedics arrived.

"I can't say it enough," Burt said. "I'm here and my teammates saved my life." The 20-year-old Burt subsequently was diagnosed with Long QT Syndrome, a rare inherited electrical disorder that causes heartbeat irregularities. She had a defibrillator implanted in her chest Monday and was released from University of Washington Medical Center the next day.

After the final horn, Burt addressed fans.

"I can't even begin to tell you about these girls," she said. "They're my best friends. They're my sisters. They always will be. You guys are the best."

Fans chanted, "Kayla, Kayla, Kayla," as she spoke.

"The attendance tonight was amazing," Burt said. "Keep bringing the fans. These guys were warriors tonight. They played their hearts out and I know they're playing for me."

The arena was more than half empty but it was a cheerful crowd, delighting not only in Burt's rapid recovery but also Washington's decisive victory.

The Huskies opened with a 19-7 burst, with Guiliana Mendiola scoring 17 points by halftime as Washington built a 33-14 lead. On Dec. 31, Mendiola performed CPR on Burt as her friend turned purple without a pulse.

Mendiola finished with 22 points and 10 rebounds on her 21st birthday, but each of the Huskies (11-2, 3-1 Pac-10) played an inspired game as they enjoyed Burt's return.

"I was just out there to have fun and win the game for Kayla," Mendiola said. Cheryl Sorenson scored on a late first-half layup for a 33-14 lead on a dazzling behind-the-back bounce pass by Loree Payne.

Arizona State shot 36 percent and the lead stayed near 20 points throughout the second half. Amy Denson led the foul-plagued Sun Devils (10-4, 2-3) with 18 points and nine rebounds while Kylan Loney scored 11.

"I don't think we were out of it at halftime," Arizona State coach Charli Turner Thorne said. "We have a reputation as comeback kids. We just haven't dug that big of a hole before."

Burt was the star all night.

She was surrounded by cameras during warmups. One person held up a sign that said "We Love Kayla." Her parents, Ken and Teri Burt, took in the scene from their seats near Washington's bench.

Burt can no longer play because of her condition, but she seemed comfortable in her new role. Dressed in a white turtleneck and crimson jacket, she looked like an assistant coach.

"We're 1-0 with coach Burt," Daugherty joked. Burt sat with her hands clasped in her lap, but often leaped to her feet to clap when a teammate made a good play. She stood and gave Payne a hug when Payne was replaced with 4:03 remaining, and slapped high fives with her teammates all night.

"We're all so close. I mean, they gave me CPR," Burt said. "We're as close as we can be. I think it's something that's going to happen for the rest of our lives."