LOS ANGELES – The UCLA defense held its opponent below 30 percent shooting for the third time this season, as the Bruins breezed past Colorado, 84-50, on Senior Day at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom.
With the win, UCLA (19-11, 12-6) clinched the four seed in the Pac-12 Tournament, which is set to take place March 7-10 in Las Vegas. The Bruins will play in the quarterfinals on Friday at 11:30 a.m. (PT).
Prior to the game, UCLA honored its four seniors – Kennedy Burke (15 points, four steals, three blocks), Chrissy Baird (two points), Japreece Dean (eight points, nine assists) and Lajahna Drummer (nine points, nine rebounds).
While it was Senior Day, it was the sophomore Michaela Onyenwere who led the way offensively, as she finished with 18 points on 7-for-13 shooting.
The Storyline
The first portion of the game was tight before freshman Kiara Jefferson nailed back-to-back 3-pointers to make it 11-4 UCLA. The Bruins held the Buffaloes (12-17, 2-16) without a field goal for the final 8:52 of the frame, helping them take an 11-point (16-5) lead into the second quarter.
UCLA's freshmen duo of Jefferson and Ahlana Smith combined to score 10 first-half points, and the Bruins forced 11 turnovers in the opening 20 minutes. UCLA also held Colorado to 26.9 percent (7-for-26) shooting to take a 35-21 lead into the locker room.
In the third quarter, the Bruins stretched their lead to 27 after redshirt freshman Lindsey Corsaro got the steal and assist to Onyenwere on the fast break.
UCLA went 12-for-13 from the stripe in a foul-plagued third quarter that featured 17 fouls, and the Bruins took a 22-point advantage into the fourth quarter.
Colorado never got closer than 21 in the final 10 minutes, as UCLA got production from every player who saw action on the court, including Baird, who scored on a drive to the hoop with 1:40 left to go.
Key Stats of the Game
21 – UCLA forced over 20 turnovers for the fifth time this season. Colorado coughed it up 21 times, which translated into 25 points for UCLA.
9:35 – The Bruins held Colorado without a field goal for nine minutes and 35 seconds, a stretch between the first and second quarters.
With the win, UCLA (19-11, 12-6) clinched the four seed in the Pac-12 Tournament, which is set to take place March 7-10 in Las Vegas. The Bruins will play in the quarterfinals on Friday at 11:30 a.m. (PT).
CLINCHED! ??
— UCLA W. Basketball (@UCLAWBB) March 3, 2019
With today's win, UCLA earns the 4? seed in the @pac12 Tournament and will have a bye to the quarterfinals! The Bruins will compete on Friday at 11:30 am. #GoBruins pic.twitter.com/fTpniUkmv4
Prior to the game, UCLA honored its four seniors – Kennedy Burke (15 points, four steals, three blocks), Chrissy Baird (two points), Japreece Dean (eight points, nine assists) and Lajahna Drummer (nine points, nine rebounds).
THANK YOU, SENIORS! @UCLAWBB honored its seniors before their last home game in Pauley Pavilion today. #GoBruins pic.twitter.com/RazLwGTBF2
— UCLA Athletics (@UCLAAthletics) March 3, 2019
While it was Senior Day, it was the sophomore Michaela Onyenwere who led the way offensively, as she finished with 18 points on 7-for-13 shooting.
The Storyline
The first portion of the game was tight before freshman Kiara Jefferson nailed back-to-back 3-pointers to make it 11-4 UCLA. The Bruins held the Buffaloes (12-17, 2-16) without a field goal for the final 8:52 of the frame, helping them take an 11-point (16-5) lead into the second quarter.
.@kiaracjefferson ?????? pic.twitter.com/FQblgEmDX8
— UCLA W. Basketball (@UCLAWBB) March 3, 2019
UCLA's freshmen duo of Jefferson and Ahlana Smith combined to score 10 first-half points, and the Bruins forced 11 turnovers in the opening 20 minutes. UCLA also held Colorado to 26.9 percent (7-for-26) shooting to take a 35-21 lead into the locker room.
UCLA forces 11 turnovers and holds Colorado to 26.9 percent shooting! ??
— UCLA W. Basketball (@UCLAWBB) March 3, 2019
This one is all Bruins. pic.twitter.com/04DjukoNqC
In the third quarter, the Bruins stretched their lead to 27 after redshirt freshman Lindsey Corsaro got the steal and assist to Onyenwere on the fast break.
UCLA went 12-for-13 from the stripe in a foul-plagued third quarter that featured 17 fouls, and the Bruins took a 22-point advantage into the fourth quarter.
Colorado never got closer than 21 in the final 10 minutes, as UCLA got production from every player who saw action on the court, including Baird, who scored on a drive to the hoop with 1:40 left to go.
Not bad, @chrissybaird32! ?? pic.twitter.com/cEBJZftiXH
— UCLA W. Basketball (@UCLAWBB) March 3, 2019
Key Stats of the Game
21 – UCLA forced over 20 turnovers for the fifth time this season. Colorado coughed it up 21 times, which translated into 25 points for UCLA.
9:35 – The Bruins held Colorado without a field goal for nine minutes and 35 seconds, a stretch between the first and second quarters.