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UCLA Basketball: Bruins’ season ends with a hard fought game vs UCONN

By Mike Regalado

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 24: A detailed view of a Wilson Basketball with a NCAA March Madness logo on it during the first half between the Wisconsin Badgers and the Florida Gators during the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament East Regional at Madison Square Garden on March 24, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 24: A detailed view of a Wilson Basketball with a NCAA March Madness logo on it during the first half between the Wisconsin Badgers and the Florida Gators during the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament East Regional at Madison Square Garden on March 24, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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The #6 UCLA basketball women’s team came close to taking down #2 UCONN, but the powerhouse prevailed, ending the Bruins’ late-season run.

It was quite the battle in Albany as Cori Close and the UCLA basketball team managed to fight, fight, fight for 40 minutes, but ultimately succumbed to the power of one of the most successful programs in modern college basketball.

The game started with UCLA jumping out to a quick 5-0 lead, but UCONN quickly battled back with a 17-4 run. The Huskies overpowered the Bruins in the first quarter behind 10 quick points from Napheesa Collier, who ended the game with 25 points and 10 rebounds.

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UCONN had the 25-19 lead after one, but the Bruins did not stand by and take the punishment as they fought back in the next two quarters and outscored the Huskies 35-27, leading to a 50-49 lead after three.

The Bruins were getting help from every one of their starters. Michaela Onyenwere only managed to score eight points but was a beast on the boards as she pulled down 15 rebounds, eight of which were offensive. UCLA won the battle of the boards in this game by a 41-38 margin, but what was more impressive was their 19-12 advantage with offensive rebounds.

Kennedy Burke had an epic game, which almost wasn’t as she had injured her knee in the 3rd quarter. Luckily, she was able to shake it off and help the Bruins garner the lead heading into the fourth quarter. She finished the game with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Jepreece Dean and Lindsay Corsaro rounded out the double-digit scoring as they put up 16 and 11 points, respectively.

Unfortunately, all the efforts came up just short as UCONN used a 16-5 run to the start the final frame and use that momentum to keep the lead through the rest of the game, which ended in a 69-61 win for the Huskies.

Depsite the loss, the Bruins never gave up, which has become an embedded trait with this UCLA team. The Bruins came close, but they have nothing to hang their heads about. They were one of the hottest teams heading into the tournament and walk away as one of the teams women’s college basketball analysts will have an eye on heading into the 2019-20 season.