This one was never in doubt after the first quarter. UCLA is a very talented, tall and experience team who is likely to be in the running for a national title in March. Five Huskers scored in double digits: Amiah Hargrove (12), Logan Nissley (11), Eliza Maupin, Jess Petrie, and Callin Hake pitched in 10 each. Britt Prince was held scoreless in the second half after getting six points early. Rebounds were hard to come by as the Bruins were greedy and grabbed 43 compared to 28 for Nebraska.
The Bruins
defense held the Huskers to 61 points and 38% shooting (20-53). The turover battle was nearly even with Nebraska committing 17 and UCLA 16. This didn’t feel like a case of the Huskers being intimidated and playing poorly – they battled but were outclassed tonight.
First Quarter Notes
It took over two minutes before either team scored, which could be considered a win for the Huskers. The Bruins jumped out to a 4-0 lead before a Callin Hake three got the Huskers on the scoreboard. A Britt Prince steal and assist to Maupin resulted in the first Husker lead (5-4 Neb) at 6:54. Hake hustled back on defense and drew the charge on UCLA’s Kiki Rice. The Bruins again moved ahead of the Huskers before the mid-quarter break (6-5 UCLA).
Prince went coast to coast to regain the lead for Nebraska (7-6 Neb). Bruins star Lauren Betts is on the bench for a breather, which makes driving to the rim much easier. Nebraska turnovers led to a seven point run by the Bruins (13-7 UCLA). The Bruins length and experience is creating all kinds of issues for the usually high-powered Husker offense. UCLA grew their lead to as much as eight until a late basket put the Huskers in double digits.
UCLA 17 Nebraska 11
Second Quarter Notes
Both teams are having a hard time with long range shots, combining for 1-13 at this point. It took 90 seconds for either team to score and it was Logan Nissley who must have read what I wrote about the poor three-point shooting as she hit a trey (17-14 UCLA). The Bruins stretched their lead to 10 behind some good jump shooting (26-16 UCLA). A Prince layup cut into the lead before the five-minute timeout (26-18 UCLA).
The defenses ruled the first 90 seconds after the break but UCLA continued to pull away slowly but surely (31-20 UCLA). Jess Petrie picked up her second foul and was replaced by Petra Bozan. UCLA is not pulling away slowly at this point, they are racing away from Nebraska (35-21 UCLA). The Huskers ended the quarter with a little bit of offensive momentum.
UCLA 37 Nebraska 25
The Huskers are shooting 34% – the Bruin defense is every bit of the problem we thought they would be. UCLA is shooting at a 45% clip. Britt Prince, Amiah Hargrove and Callin Hake lead the Huskers with six points each.
Third Quarter Notes
The 12-point margin held up through the first few possessions, including an exchange of three-pointers in the first two minutes (42-30 UCLA). Every time the Huskers seem to be in a spot to grab an offensive rebound, the Bruins fly in and take control. The UCLA lead continued to grow up to the mid-quarter break (50-32 UCLA).
Britt Prince is scoreless so far this half – which is one reason why the Huskers are down by 20 (52-32 UCLA). The Huskers stagnated in a scoring drought that lasted over five minutes and UCLA has doubled Nebraska’s scoring output (22-11) so far this quarter. The Bruins hold a 22 point lead (59-37) with a minute left in the quarter. Nebraska is getting to the free throw line – which is good because the field goals are few and far betwen right now.
UCLA 61 Nebraska 41
Fourth Quarter Notes
Amiah Hargrove is the only Husker in double digits as the 20-point margin held up through the early portion of the fourth quarter. Lauren Betts has blocked four Husker shots – wow. Nebraska showed a lot of heart and continued to battle. The Huskers cut the lead to 18 at the media timeout (70-52 UCLA).
Petrie joined the double-digit scoring group as she reached 10 points late in the game. The Huskers got as close as 16 (72-56 UCLA) but got no closer in the final minutes. Callin Hake fouled out of the game with two minutes left. The Bruins have 16 offensive rebounds which have led to nearly 20 second-chance points.
Final UCLA 83 Nebraska 61
Next Game
It doesn’t get easier for Nebraska as they take on #15 Michigan State on Thursday night in East Lansing. Tipoff is at 6 pm (central).
