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For the second time in two years, the UCLA Bruins are headed back to the Final Four. UCLA is hoping for a better outcome this time around but for now, UCLA will appreciate their Elite Eight win over the Duke Blue Devils on Sunday.
There were certainly moments during Sunday’s game where it looked as if it’d be UCLA’s season finale. Duke led by as much as 10 points but the Bruins found their rhythm in the second half, as the Bruins size bothered the Blue Devils on both sides of the court.
UCLA will let out a sigh of relief following the win over Duke. The Bruins turned the ball over a whopping 18 times and made just two of their 14 attempts from three. UCLA’s struggles from three were hardly noticeable, as Duke fared even worse deep, going 1-13 from three themselves.
While the Bruins offense can get out of sync at times, UCLA’s size always keeps them in ballgames. Lauren Betts was terrifc once again but Angela Dugalic came up huge off the bench, providing 15 points and six rebounds. Even Sienna Betts made an impact in limited minutes, scoring four points in seven minutes and showing some nice touch down low.
Close shortened her rotation in Sunday’s game. Only seven Bruins played and Close had Lauren Betts play a season-high 38 minutes. Kiki Rice wasn’t far behind her with 36 minutes. While Lena Bilic and Amanda Muse have been good for UCLA, Close stuck with her seniors and those seniors got the job done.
Duke exposed some of UCLA’s weaknesses. The Bruins do not possess game-warping speed, so Duke tried to push the pace as much as possible, which also forced the Bruins to be loose with the ball.
Since their win over Iowa in the Big Ten championship game, the Bruins have been a hair off. In order to win a national title, the Bruins will need to relocate their equilibrium and play cleaner basketball in the Final Four.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: Lauren Betts' greatness led UCLA past Duke in the Elite Eight
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UCLA's season was in major jeopardy
There were certainly moments during Sunday’s game where it looked as if it’d be UCLA’s season finale. Duke led by as much as 10 points but the Bruins found their rhythm in the second half, as the Bruins size bothered the Blue Devils on both sides of the court.
Not a clean performance from the Bruins
UCLA will let out a sigh of relief following the win over Duke. The Bruins turned the ball over a whopping 18 times and made just two of their 14 attempts from three. UCLA’s struggles from three were hardly noticeable, as Duke fared even worse deep, going 1-13 from three themselves.
Too big to fail
While the Bruins offense can get out of sync at times, UCLA’s size always keeps them in ballgames. Lauren Betts was terrifc once again but Angela Dugalic came up huge off the bench, providing 15 points and six rebounds. Even Sienna Betts made an impact in limited minutes, scoring four points in seven minutes and showing some nice touch down low.
Cori Close stuck with her seniors
Close shortened her rotation in Sunday’s game. Only seven Bruins played and Close had Lauren Betts play a season-high 38 minutes. Kiki Rice wasn’t far behind her with 36 minutes. While Lena Bilic and Amanda Muse have been good for UCLA, Close stuck with her seniors and those seniors got the job done.
UCLA got beat in transition too many times
Duke exposed some of UCLA’s weaknesses. The Bruins do not possess game-warping speed, so Duke tried to push the pace as much as possible, which also forced the Bruins to be loose with the ball.
That wasn't a championship level showing
Since their win over Iowa in the Big Ten championship game, the Bruins have been a hair off. In order to win a national title, the Bruins will need to relocate their equilibrium and play cleaner basketball in the Final Four.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: Lauren Betts' greatness led UCLA past Duke in the Elite Eight
Continue reading...
