Unable to keep pace with a sharpshooting Oklahoma team, UCLA women’s basketball lost 85-72 on Monday, and was thus eliminated from the NCAA Tournament.
Both teams were locked-in from the tip-off, each hitting their first few shots and trading baskets.
But while the Bruins cooled off after the quick start, the Sooners only got hotter, knocking down consecutive three-pointers as part of a 15-3 run that pushed their lead to 10. UCLA slowly clawed away at that deficit, reducing it to just 5 by halftime as junior guard Thea Lemberger hit a three-pointer just before the break.
Third-seeded UCLA continued to chip away to start the second half, eventually tying the game at 45 after freshman guard Nirra Fields found redshirt senior forward Jasmine Dixon for a layup with 17 minutes left. The momentum was immediately cut short as sixth-seeded Oklahoma hit a quick three-pointer in response.
From that point on, Oklahoma had control of the game, as any sign of a UCLA run was cut short by an Oklahoma three-pointer. The Sooners finished the game with 11 three-pointers and the Bruins, who had trouble converting on their inside shots, were unable to keep up.
Compiled by Kevin Bowman, Bruin Sports senior staff.