After crawling back from down 23, Cori Close’s squad had cut the lead to just six with under a minute to play. With possession of the ball and a chance to make it a one-score game, UCLA proceeded to turn the ball over twice in the next three seconds of game time. Sloppy play squashed any chance they had to squeeze out a victory.
In an early-season top-four matchup, No.3 UCLA (6-1) suffered its first loss at the hands of No.4 Texas (6-0) 76-65 on Wednesday afternoon, after a late comeback attempt came up short. The Bruins and Longhorns opened the inaugural Women’s Players Era Festival at the Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas, home of the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces.
Turnovers plagued a team previously one of the best in the nation in not giving them up. UCLA averaged just 12.2 per game coming in, but conceded 20 in the semifinal matchup.
One of Texas’s greatest strengths is its ability to dominate the turnover battle, now sitting at a +98 margin through six games.
The Longhorns surged to an early lead, imposing their will by forcing seven first-quarter turnovers and taking the opening period 20-10. The second was equally as bad for the demoralized Bruins. Out-hustled and outplayed, they were crushed by their lack of possessions.
By halftime, the deficit had doubled to 45-25. Charlisse Leger-Walker hit UCLA’s sole three-pointer of the half and led the team with nine points. Their opponents’ offensive attack was a lot more deadly, with three Longhorns reaching double-digit points.
It seemed early on that the second half was going to bring more of the same; with 2:05 left, Texas claimed its largest lead of the game, 61-38. But suddenly, a light switched on. UCLA went on an 8-1 run to end the third quarter, and momentum seemed to be headed their way.
Kiki Rice added to the run early on in the fourth, scoring 10 straight points for the Bruins and cutting the deficit to four. With 2:26 left in the game, on the heels of the 26-7 stretch, the game was once again within reach.
Rice’s senior campaign is off to a great start. She leads the team in scoring so far with 101 total points and put up a team-high 17 vs Texas.
Her heroics ultimately were not enough, though, as Texas’ Rori Harmon took over late in the final period. The former 2x All-Big 12 guard scored 26 points in the victory, a Longhorn season-high, including 10 in the fourth quarter.
On the opposite end, Lauren Betts has faced numerous struggles so far this season. The 2025 All-American and Defensive Player of the Year has seen declines in almost all major categories: points, rebounds, blocks, steals and FG%. It’s early on in the season, and the Bruins haven’t struggled much thus far, but it’s something to keep an eye on for the Senior.
UCLA has already played three top-12 opponents in its first seven matchups. Unfortunately, this tough stretch will continue in December. They will stay in Las Vegas to face the loser of Duke vs. No. 2 South Carolina Thursday night, before heading back to Pauley Pavilion to play No.14 Tennessee.
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Featured Image via BruinLife Archives
