While the women’s basketball team’s bid for the Women’s National Invitation Tournament was automatic, it’s passage into the second round was far from it.
UCLA defeated Cal State Bakersfield Thursday night in the first round of the tournament 70-54.
The Bruins (14-18, 8-10 Pac-12) began and ended the game with shutdown defense and a poised offense, but in between, UCLA struggled under pressure. In the second half, the Roadrunners (23-9, 11-3 Western Athletic Conference) cut a 20-point UCLA lead to seven, forcing turnovers and upsetting the Bruins’ rhythm with a full-court press.