UCLA Basketball: 5 takeaway space from the Women’s exhibition win

The Women’s UCLA Basketball team took out Vanguard 87-40 in their only exhibition game before the 2017-18 season begins. Here are 5 takeaways from the game.

There is a lot of buzz around the UCLA Basketball Women’s team and for good reason. Seniors Jordan Canada and Monique Billings will lead head coach Cori Close’s newest group of ball players this season, and they could be the best team the coach has produced in her tenure.

RELATED: UCLA Women’s Basketball ranked 8thin preseason AP Top 25 Poll

On Sunday we got to get a sneak preview of these Bruins and there is reason to get excited. Here are 5 takeaways from the Women’s exhibition win over Vanguard:

1. The future is bright

Close secured the 6th ranked recruiting class in the nation (according to ESPN) and in Sunday’s exhibition, the newbies showed that they are going to be a factor going forward. Three freshmen scored in double-digits with Michaela Onyenwere matching the team-high of 14 points with Billings. Chantel Horvat also logged the team’s only double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Forward Lauryn Miller is also going to be a force in the paint as she muscled her way to 12 points and four rebounds (all on the offensive glass).

2. They will push the tempo

With Jordin Canada leading the team, these Bruins are going to try to push the tempo. UCLA started out slow at the start of the 1st quarter, but quickly jumped out to an 18-3 lead after the first frame. The Bruins led by at least 40 points from halftime on. The Bruins got into the flow of scoring, but they also moved the ball around and helped each other out with 20 assists (compared to Vanguard’s nine).

3. A little bit of magic never hurt anyone

More from Go Joe Bruin

• UCLA Football: It’s time for the nation to meet Dante Moore
• UCLA Football: Where are they ranked heading into week 4
• UCLA Football: Position battle breakdown for Utah showdown
• UCLA vs. Utah: Location, time, prediction, and more
• UCLA Football: Highlights from Chip Kelly’s appearance on the Jim Rome Show

And because it was an exhibition, these Bruns had fun with the rock. Though it was not prominent or overexcessive, the Bruins had a few flashy plays which included no-look passes and Canada slicing through the defense for circus-esque scooped layups. Just her normal day at the office.

4. A UCLA team that plays defense

If you want to see a UCLA Basketball team that plays defense, look no further than the Women’s team. Sure we use that joke in good fun with the Men’s team, but it is no joke for Close’s players. The Bruins had limited Vanguard’s field goal percentage to a minuscule 24.5. UCLA also had 17 total steals which was led by Canada and Onyenwere, who had five each. On top of that, the Bruins cleaned the glass with 64 rebounds (compared to Vanguard’s 28). It was split down the middle between offensive and defensive rebounds with 32 of each.

5. Canada and Billings are the stars, but they have a huge supporting cast

This could be the best team in the Cori Close era in regards to both talent and depth. We knew the Bruins would be a major factor with Canada and Billings leading the charge in their final season, but other Bruins are stepping up. We already discussed how a few freshmen did in their inaugural UCLA game, but there are other Bruins with experience who will build off of this exhibition.

Kennedy Burke nearly logged herself a double-double with 9 points and 10 rebounds. Though Kelli Hayes only had two points, she had four assists, the second most on the team behind Canada. Several Bruins will contribute to the Bruins’ success this this season, which is why UCLA was chosen to finish first in the Pac-12 and ranked 8th in the preseason AP Poll.

Next: UCLA Men's Basketball handles Cal State LA in exhibition, Welsh shines

If you have not familiarized yourself with the UCLA Women’s Basketball team, I recommend you do it now because they are going to do some damage the season. Go Bruins!