During UCLA’s historic season, they have suffered just two losses, both at the hands of USC. But as they say, third time’s the charm.
On March 9, in the Big Ten Championship in Indianapolis, UCLA (30-2, 16-2 Big Ten) defeated USC (28-3, 17-1 Big Ten) 72-67 to claim the Big Ten title in just their first season in the conference. This marks the Bruins’ first conference title since they won the Pac-12 in 2006.
Previously in the season, on February 13 and March 1, UCLA fell to USC, losing 71-60 and 80-67, respectively. Tonight, it was a tale of two halves for a UCLA team that just couldn’t figure out how to defeat the powerhouse Trojans, led by superstar Juju Watkins. After ten quarters, something finally clicked.
Following a red-hot start for the revenge-driven Bruins, USC went on a 17-3 run, taking a lead they would not lose until the fourth quarter. In the first half, the Trojans out-rebounded the Bruins 23-9, 12-3 on the offensive glass, alongside an effortless 18 points from Watkins. With a 45-35 lead headed into the break, it seemed as if USC was destined to beat UCLA for a third time.
However, a 3rd quarter effort powered by a vintage Lauren Betts performance brought the Bruins back into the game. By the start of the fourth, they trailed by just two. With just over eight minutes to play in the 4th, they finally reclaimed the lead, 56-54, their first since midway through the first quarter. For 11 minutes straight, UCLA didn’t allow USC to score a single field goal, finally conceding a basket with just 1:13 to play.
The Bruins’ unforgiving defense was the key to their victory over their arch rivals. Coach Close praised her team’s effort, saying “I’m so gratified to see the work they’ve done in the dark pay off in the light.”
Slowing down Watkins, the nation’s second leading scorer, is no easy feat. In the 2nd half she was held to 11 points, five of which were scored in the final 11 seconds, shooting just 27% and giving up five turnovers. She finished with 29 in the end, but the Bruins allowed no easy points.
USC’s 22 2nd half points were their least in a single half all season. Led by hounding perimeter pressure from Angela Dugalić and Gabriela Jaquez, the Trojans shot 13% from range in the 2nd half, as well as just 22% overall.
The team’s interior defensive effort was headed by two-time Big Ten all-defender Betts, who recorded four steals and four blocks. She dominated the interior on the offensive side of the ball as well, scoring 12 of her 17 points in the paint.
Despite a surplus of turnovers, UCLA’s offense remained poised as a unit. Kiki Rice scored 13 points, contributing eight assists on top of that. Also lighting it up was Londynn Jones, who added another 13 points, shooting 75% from 3-point range.
With the nation’s number one ranked team, Texas, falling to South Carolina earlier today in the SEC championship, UCLA has almost certainly locked up the #1 overall seed in March Madness. This will mark the first one seed in program history, surpassing last year’s team, the first two seed in program history.
After disappointing exits in the Sweet 16 over the past two seasons, UCLA hopes to make a deeper run in this year’s tournament. They certainly possess the talent to do it.
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Featured Image courtesy of UCLA Athletics
