UCLA’s NCAA event run ends with blowout loss to UConn in Last 4

TAMPA, Fla. — Passes glanced off their palms. Rebounds squirted out of bounds. The brilliant lights of a historic season blinded UCLA on the most important stage.

Connecticut, showing in its sixteenth Last 4 within the final 17 NCAA tournaments, performed like a staff used to this second, dominating UCLA 85-51 within the Last 4 at Amalie Enviornment on Friday within the largest margin of victory in an NCAA ladies’s nationwide semifinal.

Misplaced in a haze of 19 turnovers and 12 missed three-point photographs, the Bruins (34-3) regarded nothing just like the staff that earned the event’s No. 1 general seed.

Though star heart Lauren Betts muscled up 26 factors on 11-for-18 taking pictures, the Bruins made simply 4 three-pointers on 16 makes an attempt. UConn star Paige Bueckers had simply six factors within the first half, however the Bruins nonetheless fell behind by 20 at halftime, equaling the most important deficit they confronted all season.

“We acquired uncovered. We acquired out-toughed. We acquired our butts beat right this moment,” UCLA coach Cori Shut stated. “And it stings proper now. And should the ache of that remorse and this loss … if dealt with nicely, purchase us a ticket to be higher the following time hopefully we get this chance.”

Of the nationwide semifinalists, UCLA was the one one making its first journey to the NCAA Last 4. Shut was the one coach making her Last 4 debut. She tried to ask friends for recommendation about dealing with the most important stage and hoped to organize her gamers for the distinctive journey schedule, the brand new media obligations and environment. However in entrance of a sold-out crowd of 19,731, the Bruins shortly realized there isn’t any quantity of recommendation that may substitute true expertise.

“The largest shock was simply how loopy all of that is,” Betts said. “They actually placed on a present for all of us, which is absolutely cool and I by no means skilled that earlier than. … However I really feel like I knew how massive of a deal this recreation was and I really feel like I attempted to indicate it for essentially the most half.”

Betts was the one UCLA participant to make greater than three photographs from the sector. In the meantime, Connecticut was fueled by its three stars. Freshman Sarah Strong led the staff with 22 factors and eight rebounds whereas Azzi Fudd delivered 19 factors. Their contributions made Bueckers’ 16 factors, 5 rebounds and 5 assists a footnote.

“I’ve to say that this was considerably surprising,” stated UConn coach Geno Auriemma, who estimated the Huskies performed a flawless recreation, particularly on protection. “UCLA is simply actually, actually good and actually, actually onerous to play towards. It took every little thing we’ve, and I’m actually humbled by their efficiency tonight.”

UCLA’s season — which featured a college file for wins, this system’s first No. 1 NCAA event seed and the primary look in a nationwide semifinal since 1979 — felt charmed after the Bruins bounced again from a humiliating loss to USC at residence. They exorcised their rivalry demons by defeating the Trojans within the Massive Ten event for his or her first convention event championship since 2006. They lastly overcame the Candy 16 hurdle that tripped them up 5 instances beneath Shut. They acquired revenge towards Louisiana State to make college historical past and attain Tampa.

However they left their magic 3,000 miles away in Washington.

UCLA turned the ball over on the opening possession as Londynn Jones botched a easy move towards Angela Dugalic. Fudd banked in a three-pointer within the first quarter. UCLA’s Timea Gardiner had a three-pointer roll across the within the rim and come out.

Connecticut’s Paige Bueckers controls the ball in entrance of UCLA’s Lauren Betts, left, and Gabriela Jaquez in the course of the first half of the Last 4 on Friday.

(John Raoux / Related Press)

UCLA’s bench couldn’t swing the momentum.

“In a approach we had been sort of in search of issues to simply settle in and for issues to come back to us,” stated guard Kiki Rice, who had eight factors, two assists and three turnovers. “I feel we would have liked to exit and take the sport and to go make performs, not have performs occur to us.”

After freshman Elina Aarnisalo’s turnover changed into a fast-break layup for Kaitlyn Chen that put the Huskies up 39-22 with 1:32 remaining within the second quarter, Shut gestured desperately to the referee for a timeout. However earlier than she might debrief her gamers, Rice pulled her teammates into a decent huddle. The junior level guard shouted towards them whereas coaches huddled collectively individually, exhibiting the vocal management she’s honed for 3 years at UCLA.

Rice, Betts, Gabriela Jaquez and Jones determine to be cornerstones of a staff that also is firmly in its championship window. Each participant has eligibility to return subsequent 12 months.

Betts, whose switch to UCLA final season propelled the Bruins into championship contenders, checked out within the last two minutes with tears welling in her eyes as she gave teammates high-fives. She buried her face in a towel on the bench. Charlisse Leger-Walker whispered encouraging phrases into her ear.

“I hope this fuels us,” Betts stated, “and I hope that we come out offended after this.”