UCLA women’s Basketball Dominates Southern in NCAA Tournament Opener
Bruins Set Sights on First Final Four Appearance After 84-46 victory
LOS ANGELES — The No. 1 overall seed UCLA Bruins (31-2) commenced their NCAA Tournament journey with a resounding 84-46 victory over the Southern Jaguars Friday night at Pauley Pavilion, fueled to make its first Final Four appearance.
Standout Performances Propel Bruins to Victory
Lauren Betts led the charge with 14 points, six rebounds, and three blocked shots. Londynn Jones added 11 points, while Janiah Barker contributed 10 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, and two blocks off the bench.Kiki Rice and gabriela Jaquez each chipped in with 10 points.
“We talked about our team not being a team that plays not to loose, but go to win and take possessions,” said UCLA head coach Cori Close. “And I think when we’re physical, we’re anticipatory, when we’re talking early, when we’re taking things away – that’s when we’re at our best.”
Looking Ahead: Sweet Sixteen Berth on the Line
UCLA will face eighth-seeded Richmond (28-6) for a spot in the Sweet Sixteen. The game is scheduled for Sunday at 7 p.m. at Pauley Pavilion. Richmond secured their program’s first NCAA Tournament victory by defeating Georgia Tech, 74-49, with Maggie Doogan leading the way with 30 points and 15 rebounds.
Barker’s Impact And Confidence Boosts Bruins
Janiah Barker’s energy was vital in a 9-0 UCLA run in the second half. “Sometimes (the crowd) just be heckling, so I blew them a kiss,” Barker told reporters postgame. “My confidence is at an all-time high always, so I think I was just happy in that moment. It’s fun to be fun when you’re out there on the court. When we’re having a fun time, we play the best.”
Rice Shines With Ball Security
Kiki Rice was instrumental, too, with zero turnovers. “We did a lot of prep this week on handling pressure,” Rice said. “That’s something that teams have done to me in the past is pressure me and get the ball out of my hands, and I’ve just got to be able to take care of the ball and find my teammates. That’s my job.”
Southern’s tournament Trailblaze
Aniya Gourdine contributed 10 points for 16th-seeded Southern (21-15) who earned a First Four victory over UC San Diego for its first NCAA Tournament win.
“A lot of people underestimate HBCU’s,” Gourdine said. “They don’t really believe that we belong hear. It’s huge to put us in the bracket for all those girls who might want to go to an HBCU.”
Bruins’ Dominant Performance
UCLA’s defense stifled Southern early, holding them to 11 points in the first quarter and establishing a 12-point lead. The Bruins shot 5 for 9 from 3-point range in the first half.
UCLA outscored the Jaguars 21-7 in the third quarter, extending the lead to 59-33 and allowing Coach Close to manage playing time. UCLA outrebounded Southern 44-23. Eight bruins had at least nine points.
“I love how we responded in the third quarter defensively,” Close said. “I think that’s really where we’ve got to have urgency all the time. No matter what the game plan is, be counted on to do your job. I thought in the second quarter we lost track of that a little bit, but I was proud of how they responded.”
Bruins Seek Deep Tournament Run
This is UCLA’s third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance and ninth in 13 tournaments under Close. The Bruins spent 13 weeks atop the AP Top 25 this season and captured the Big Ten Tournament title, defeating USC. The Bruins seek to progress beyond the regional final, a feat they’ve only managed once in close’s tenure.
Given UCLA’s strong showing in the opener, what are some key areas that the team will need to focus on to improve their chances of progressing further in the tournament?
UCLA Women’s Basketball Dominates Southern in NCAA Tournament Opener – Q&A
The UCLA Bruins women’s basketball team is off to a strong start in the 2024 NCAA Tournament! Here’s a breakdown of their dominant performance and what’s next:
Key questions and Answers
Q: What was the score of the UCLA vs. Southern game?
A: UCLA defeated Southern with a commanding score of 84-46.
Q: Who were the standout players for UCLA?
A: Several Bruins had impressive performances.Lauren Betts led with 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 blocks.Londynn Jones added 11 points, while Janiah Barker contributed 10 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks off the bench.Kiki Rice and Gabriela Jaquez each scored 10 points as well.
Q: What was the key to UCLA’s victory?
A: According to Coach Cori Close, UCLA focused on playing to win and taking possessions. They emphasized physicality, anticipation, and communication on defense.
Q: What’s next for UCLA in the tournament?
A: UCLA will face eighth-seeded Richmond in the next round, with the game scheduled for Sunday at 7 p.m. at Pauley Pavilion. Richmond is coming off a victory against Georgia Tech.
Q: What are UCLA’s chances of making it to the Final Four?
A: This year, UCLA is the No. 1 overall seed and is seeking its first Final Four appearance. The team has been dominant throughout the season, spending 13 weeks at the top of the AP Top 25 and winning the Big Ten tournament.
Q: What was meaningful about Southern’s participation in the tournament?
A: Southern, a 16th seed, earned a First Four victory over UC San Diego for its first NCAA Tournament win. Aniya Gourdine contributed 10 points for Southern.
Q: How did UCLA’s defense perform against Southern?
A: UCLA’s defense was strong, holding Southern to only 11 points in the first quarter and establishing an early 12-point lead. They also outscored Southern 21-7 in the third quarter.
Q: How has UCLA performed in past NCAA Tournaments under Coach Cori Close?
A: This is UCLA’s third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance and ninth in 13 tournaments under Close. The Bruins are looking to advance beyond the regional final, a feat they’ve only accomplished once during her tenure.
Additional Insights
- Janiah Barker’s energetic play and confidence were crucial for UCLA.
- Kiki Rice’s ball security,with zero turnovers,was also a key factor.
Cheer on the Bruins as they continue their quest for a deep tournament run!
