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UCLA Basketball: Bruins clinch a first round bye in the Pac-12 Tournament

By Mike Regalado

HOUSTON, TX - DECEMBER 08: UCLA Bruins head coach Cori Close watches the play during the game with the Texas Longhorns during the MD Anderson Proton Therapy Showcase at Reliant Stadium on December 8, 2012 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - DECEMBER 08: UCLA Bruins head coach Cori Close watches the play during the game with the Texas Longhorns during the MD Anderson Proton Therapy Showcase at Reliant Stadium on December 8, 2012 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images) /
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The UCLA basketball women’s team finished up the regular season with a win over Colorado which locked up the fourth spot in the standings and a first-round bye in the Pac-12 Tournament.

What a way to send off Chrissy Baird, Kennedy Burke, Japreece Dean, and Lajahna Drummer on Senior Day as the UCLA basketball team gave them a victory over Colorado, their 10th win in the last 12 games, and the 4-seed in the Pac-12 Tournament. As Ice Cube said, “it was a good day.”

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It might have been the last game these four Bruins will ever play at Pauley Pavilion, but with the madness of March beginning, it is just the start for these seniors, head coach Cori Close and the rest of the Bruins as a new season begins after an 84-50 win over Colorado.

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UCLA once again showed that they are not just an offensive team as their defense shined bright on Sunday afternoon. The Bruins limited the last-place Buffaloes to 27.6% for the entire game. UCLA forced 21 turnovers which lead to 25 points as a result.

Michaela Onyenwere was once again the Bruins’ top scorer as she finished with 18 points. Burke had herself quite the Senior Day as she collected 15 points, 7 rebounds, 4 steals, and 3 blocks.

Drummer also had an impressive final game at Pauley as she logged 9 points and 9 rebounds. Dean would also have a memorable Senior Day as she added 8 points and 9 assists.

And let us not forget about the Bruins’ bench which contributed 32 to the game led by Lindsey Corsaro (9), Ahlana Smith (9), and Kiara Jefferson (8).

This win tops of an amazing run that has seen UCLA win 10 of its last 12 games. In that time, the Bruins had defeated three ranked teams, went 7-2 on the road, and (most importantly) clinched a top-four spot in the Pac-12 Tournament which gives them a bye and will not have to play until Thursday at 11 a.m. PT.

UCLA will have their first game on Friday in the quarterfinals against the winner between #5 Arizona State and #12 Colorado.