UCLA
7-1
Michigan
8-3
No. 9 UCLA Runs Past Michigan, 84-64
December 11, 2016 | Women's Basketball
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LOS ANGELES (AP) -- UCLA guard Jordin Canada wowed with moves in the lane, spectacular passes and pull-up jump shots against Michigan. Her coach, Cori Close, doesn't ever let Canada or any other player glance at the Jumbotron to check out replays, but Sunday would've been a good day for that.
Canada and her teammates will watch plenty of highlights at the end of film sessions, the only time Close allows what she calls "passion plays" to be shown after leading the Bruins to an 84-64 win over Michigan on Sunday in Pauley Pavilion.
Monique Billings and Canada each had double-doubles with Billings scoring 19 points and a career-high 16 rebounds, while Canada had 16 points and a career-high 14 assists. Kelli Hayes also added a career-high 16 points. Kari Korver chipped in 11 points and Kennedy Burke poured in 12 for the balanced scoring effort by the Bruins as all five starters scored in double figures.
"I don't think we're close, but I think we made a huge step today," Close said of how good UCLA could be this season.
Those scoop lay-ups and bounce-passes through the lane that led to assists for Canada had her shining brightly.
"Most of the time I'm working on things I need to get better at," Canada said. I don't really like to think about stuff like that. My concern is getting better and growing."
UCLA (7-1) extended its home win streak to 18 consecutive games dating back to last season and 22 straight games against unranked opponents.
Michigan (8-3) was led by Kysre Gondrezick with 18 points and Hallie Thome with 15 points. Katelynn Flaherty had 14 points and Jillian Dunston added 10 for Michigan. The Wolverines were without three players, two who stayed home to prepare for exams (Boogie Brozoski and Sam Trammel) and Nicole Munger was out with an injured left foot.
UCLA cruised once again, this time starting its game with a 14-0 run and it never trailed. The Bruins had a 45-25 halftime lead, and Billings already recorded a double-double by then as she had 11 points and 12 rebounds.
BIG PICTURE:
Michigan took a step backward as it struggled to move the ball offensively and let UCLA dominate inside. It had played well the last few games and fared much better against then-No. 10 Florida State in a 76-62 loss and needs to find its groove after this loss. UCLA did whatever it wanted offensively, getting high-percentage shots and used its stifling defense to fluster Michigan.
POLL IMPLICATIONS
UCLA should stay at No. 9 or could move up a spot as No. 8 Louisville is the only team ahead of it in the rankings with two losses. Louisville struggled at home but rallied to defeat Western Kentucky.
WEEKEND SWEEP
With the UCLA men beating Michigan at Pauley on Saturday and the women doing the same on Sunday, the Bruins made it a weekend sweep. The Michigan men's team sat behind the Michigan bench for Sunday's game and the teams were scheduled to share a charter flight back to Ann Arbor, providing they could return as there is a snowstorm.
THROUGH THE TREES
Michigan tried to pack the lane with its interior defense but that didn't bother Canada, who drove the lane and scored on layups and jumpers or kicked the ball out.
"Mentally, I've always had the mindset where I don't fear anyone," Canada said. "I'm not afraid to play anyone, that's just the mentality that I have."
QUOTE OF THE GAME
"UCLA played phenomenal. I've watched a lot of film, and I don't know if they played as well as they played tonight. I thought they really clicked on all cylinders. They defended us extremely, extremely well. They played incredibly hard. They executed on the offensive end. They rebounded the heck out of the ball. They're a great team."
-- Michigan coach Kim Barnes
UP NEXT:
Michigan just finished a slate of seven consecutive road games away from the Crisler Center and returns home for four consecutive games, against Ohio, Vermont, American and Rutgers.
UCLA has feasted on a home-heavy schedule and now the Bruins hit the road for three consecutive games -- at UC Santa Barbara, South Carolina and North Carolina A&T.
Michigan at No. 9 UCLA (Non-Conference Game)
| SCOREBOARD | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
| Michigan | 10 | 15 | 17 | 22 | 64 |
| No. 9 UCLA | 25 | 20 | 25 | 14 | 84 |
