This article was first published by the Tampa Bay Times on April 5.
TAMPA — It was an uncharacteristically bad night for UCLA.
In falling 85-51 to No. 2 seed UConn late Friday night, the Bruins not only were on the wrong side of the largest margin of victory in Final Four history, but they suffered the largest defeat by a No. 1 seed ever in the NCAA Tournament.
“We got exposed. We got out-toughed,” said UCLA coach Cori Close. “We got our butts beat (Friday), and it stings right now.”
The Huskies’ big three of Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong spaced out UCLA defensively, forcing the Bruins into a style of play that didn’t fit them best. UConn had its way offensively, shooting 55% from the field and at a 44% clip from beyond the arc.
UConn outscored UCLA in the paint 34-30, despite the threat of Lauren Betts, the 6-foot-7 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year, looming in the key.
Betts was the only UCLA player with a presence on offense, recording 26 of the team’s 51 points. It was the first game all season that the starting center was responsible for more than half of the team’s scoring.
Her teammates went 9-of-34 from the field as starters Gabriela Jaquez and Londynn Jones were held scoreless. UCLA also lost the turnover battle 19-7, an issue the Bruins had proven they could overcome earlier in the season.
“I think it was just difficult for us to find a rhythm at times because of the turnovers and because we just kind of weren’t in our typical flow,” said guard Kiki Rice. “When you play against a really good team, which every team is very good at this point in the year, you’ve got to do little things, right? There’s not a ton of margin for error, and we had too many errors.”
Of solace for the Bruins is the fact that they will not graduate a single player from a roster responsible for a 34-3 season and will only add talent with Betts’ younger sister Sienna, the No. 2-ranked recruit in the class of 2025 by ESPN.
“We have the same team coming next year, and I hope this fuels us, and I hope that we come out angry after this,” said Betts.
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Thumbnail image caption: From left, UCLA guard Londynn Jones (3), guard Elina Aarnisalo (7) and forward Timea Gardiner (30) are seen along the bench in the final minutes of Friday night’s Final Four semifinal loss to UConn. [ LUIS SANTANA | Times ]