The last time UCLA squared off against Texas, they found themselves trailing by ten points at the end of the first quarter.
That was back in November at the inaugural women’s edition of the Players’ Era Tournament. Texas’ lead had swelled to 20 (45-25) by halftime, and the Bruins’ were never able to get back into the game.
Needless to say, that sort of start to the game isn’t going to fly as UCLA gets set to face off once again opposite the Longhorns in the Final Four. The stakes are much higher this time, and the Bruins’ know it.
“For us, just like we’ve been saying, coming out ready to dominate. I think that’s the big one. Coming out ready to play,” said UCLA guard Gabriela Jaquez during a pre-Final Four press conference. “Coming out to get every loose ball, creating catches, playing as a team. Just play like we know how to play. Play confident.”
During the NCAA Tournament so far, not being the aggressor from the opening tip is an issues that’s hampered the Bruins at times. In their opening round game against Cal Baptist, the No. 16 seeded Lancers came out with intensity and toughness that kind of caught UCLA off guard.
The Bruins never trailed in that game and the outcome was never in doubt, but it was a sign of things to come. UCLA came out ready against Oklahoma in the round of the 32 and in the Sweet 16 against Minnesota, but the Elite Eight was a different story.
The Duke Blue Devils punched first and had UCLA out of sync for much of the first half. The Bruins trailed by as many as ten points, struggling with Duke’s physicality on the defensive end, and unable to contain the Blue Devils’ offensive attack off the bounce.
But one of the major differences in the second half turning in favor of the Bruins was Lauren Betts coming out of halftime looking to be aggressive and set the tone. She wasn’t able to establish her presence during the first meeting with Texas as she battled an injury, and she knows she needs to bring that energy from the get-go in the rematch.
”I think just coming out with a certain level of confidence. I think being there before and having that experience, now we know what to expect. At the end of the day, our senior season is on the line. We want this so bad,” Betts said during a pre-Final Four press conference. “I think the amount of confidence that we have in each other to go out and compete from the very beginning, that’s the biggest difference.”
Betts understanding that her senior year was on the line was a key factor in UCLA coming from behind to beat Duke in the Elite Eight. She dominated the smaller Duke defenders in the paint offensively, and she cut off the rim defensively, blocking and altering shots and snatching up rebounds.
For UCLA head coach Cori Close, she believes her senior leadership understands the sense of urgency needed and will be ready to meet the moment. This could be the end for Betts, Jaquez, Kiki Rice, Gianna Kneepkens, Charlisse Leger-Walker and Angela Dugalic.
“I’ve been doing this for 33 years. This is the most intentionally hardworking group of people, in terms of being prepared for the pro level, as well as being prepared for our team, that I’ve ever worked with,” Close said during her pre-Final Four press conference.
”We’re excited. We’re excited for the opportunity to play Texas. I’m really confident in our team and how we’re going to be ready to compete. But the bottom line is you have to show up and be the best version of yourselves under the things that are under your control, and take care of business.”
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