UCLA Bruins Advance To First Final Four In Modern Program History

Out of Spokane Regional 1, No. 1 overall seed UCLA advances to their first Final Four in program history in the modern era after defeating No. 3 LSU, 72-65. UCLA went to the Final Four as part of the AIAW in 1978 and 1979 winning the National Championship in 1978.

In comparison to previous games throughout the tournament that have heavily relied on the production of sophomore center Lauren Betts, who averaged 20.1 points per game and 9.7 rebounds in the regular season and in the tournament has been averaging 23 points and 8.25 rebounds, today, the scoring was distributed across the roster.

The transfer portal was on full display today for the Bruins as forward Timea Gardiner (formerly Oregon State) contributed 15 points, all beyond the arc, and of course, Betts (formerly Stanford) had 17 points in the paint, shooting 50%, going 7-for-14, seven rebounds, and six blocks. Junior guard Gabriela Jaquez also stepped up for UCLA as their leading scorer with 18 points, going 4-for-5 from beyond the arc.

First Half: Bruins Shine With Betts on Bench

The beginning of the game saw the Bruins jump out to an early lead with a turnover from the Tigers leading to a layup from Betts followed by a three pointer by Jaquez, assisted by junior point guard Kiki Rice. However, most of the first quarter was plagued by scoring droughts by both sides, but LSU did end the quarter with a 7-0 run to take the lead 13-9. Again, neither team’s offense seemed to be in sync with LSU shooting 30%, 25% from beyond the arc and UCLA 26.5%, and 25% in 3 pointers.

Although Betts scored an early six points in the first quarter she also got into foul trouble early and spent the latter half of the first quarter and all of the second quarter on the bench. For LSU the storyline was not taking advantage of Betts’ absence as their star senior guard Flau’Jae Johnson went 2-of-7 from the floor for four points through the first two quarters. With Betts out of the game the Bruins were tested and could have crumbled but a crucial three pointer from Jaquez and Gardiner going a perfect 3-for-3 in the second quarter allowed a 12 point swell that would see UCLA outscore LSU 22-12 and roll into halftime up by five points, 31-25.

Second Half: Johnson’s Surge Not Enough to Overcome Bruins Deep Range Shots

Starting the second half UCLA’s Londynn Jones opened with a three pointer setting the pace and igniting the crowd for UCLA. Midway through the third Jacquez would drain her third three pointer of the day and inflate the lead to 14 causing LSU’s head coach Kim Mulkey to call a timeout at the 6:33 mark.

LSU’s Johnson came out of this timeout on fire able to pull her team back within seven by the 2:51 mark. Senior forward Aneesah Morrow who had contributed nine first half points rallied alongside Johnson scoring four points in the third to pull the Tigers with five, at the end of the third quarter, 46-41.

Gardiner opened the fourth sinking a three pointer extending the lead 49-41 and despite the effort of Johnson, Morrow, and sophomore forward Mikaylah Williams, the combination of deep threes from Gardiner and points in the paint from Betts were too much to overcome. UCLA won the contest 72-65 with 14 second chance points and 22 points from their bench despite being out rebounded 43 to 38 and outscored 26 t0 16 in the paint by LSU.

In their final game in purple and gold Johnson ended up scoring 24 second-half points on 8-of-9 shooting, and led all scorers with 28 points and Morrow had 15 points and seven rebounds.

Post Game Reflections and Awards

After the game, Coach Mulkey felt the game was lost in the second quarter, “We did not take advantage of Betts being off the floor in the second quarter and we allowed perimeter threes and other people to step up.” She continued that defense was the x factor in the loss, “Our discipline defensively cost us. Examples would be when the shot clock was winding down, we are taught every day that it’s a hot situation and it’s an automatic switch, and we gave up several of those today, wide open shots.”

Despite feeling like there were breakdowns in the game Mulkey was extremely complimentary of her two seniors Morrow and Johnson, praising Morrow, “You wish you had Aneesah every time you walked on a court every day because you knew what you were getting from her and her effort.” When she spoke of Johnson about her effort to will the team to win during the second half Mulkey expressed, “In the third and fourth quarter, I think she really, really tried. That’s what All-Americans do. They just try to figure out some way to impact the game, and she did. She did.”

For UCLA and Cori Close, the post game was full of celebration and jubilation over reaching another team goal and accomplishment. After the confetti fell Betts said, “I am just so proud of this group. You have thirteen people who just work their butts off every single day and everyone was ready for this moment. We worked so hard. We put in the work. We played together. We played unselfishly and I am just so proud of everyone today.”

For Spokane Region 1, Aneesah Morrow, Lauren Betts, Flau’Jae Johnson, Gabriela Jaquez, and Kiki Rice were all needed to the All-Region Team with Betts being named the Most Outstanding Player.

Spokane Region 4 will crown a winner to advance to the Final Four between No. 1 USC and No. 2 UConn tomorrow at 9 pm ET on ESPN.

To follow along for my final day of coverage of the women’s March Madness Spokane Regional tomorrow, follow me on Twitter.