For the third game this season, UCLA women’s basketball found itself on the verge of going above .500 for the first time.
And once again, cue another missed opportunity.
Playing Auburn (9-3) in the second game of the Subway Classic, held in Minneapolis, Minn., UCLA (5-6) couldn’t quite secure that elusive consistency, falling 66-60 a day after defeating Minnesota.
The game was close – close enough that the Bruins might have left the Twin Cities with a second win had they been able to make a few plays here and there.
UCLA trailed the entire game, but on three separate occasions in the second half, the opportunity to steal the lead was there for the taking.
Yet each time, the Bruins turned the ball over – part of their season-high 22 turnovers.
And with under five minutes left, UCLA trailed 57-56. Still, the Bruins couldn’t quite capitalize.
Auburn did, nailing a 3-pointer to push its lead to four.
The Bruins saw some life when the Tigers missed multiple free throws down the stretch.
But UCLA picked a bad time to go cold, missing plenty of shots and second-shot attempts to finish one-of-eight from the field in the final four minutes.
The team will now have a week off in between games, playing Cal Poly next Saturday in its last non-conference game of the season.
Compiled by Chris Kalra, Bruin Sports senior staff.