UCLA WBBall Falls to Stanford 70-46 In Pac-10 Tournament Championship Game

Bumped. GO BRUINS. -N

From WBB Pac10 Championship Game

Tonight's recap will be on the shorter end due to finals, but I hope to still give an overall idea of the game.  UCLA came into the game boasted a 10 game winning streak, not having lost since facing Stanford up in Palo Alto to start the second half of the Pac-10 season.  Stanford meanwhile was 30-1 with the lone loss coming to UCONN.  UCLA needed to be at the top of their game to have a chance to pull off the upset today.  Unfortunately, UCLA's game the night before against USC took a heavy toll on the starters who had to play the vast majority of the minutes in an intense, emotional game, while Stanford took it easy in cruising to a win over Cal.  It was clear early on in the game that the Bruins mentally were trying to give it their all, but physically they were still tired from the night before.

UCLA kept the game close for about 10 minutes in the first half, but eventually Stanford started to pull away.  UCLA's full court pressure which has been so effective all season long was easily thwarted by Stanford, leading to many easy scores in the paint.  Stanford, not a great 3 point shooting team, augmented their scoring with a 4-7 performance from 3 in the first half.  Stanford took a 36-19 lead into the locker room, with UCLA's offense really struggling to get going.  UCLA has always been a team that is focused on getting the ball inside, and rarely taking 3s, but today decided to try their luck from behind the arc, but went 1-8 in the first half, and 2-14 for the game.

The second half was a stalemate for the most part, with Stanford perpetually holding a 17-20 point lead.  It was frustrating that UCLA"s effort seemed improved in the 2nd half but had nothing to show for it.  The crowd and Nikki were visibly upset by the refs.  The fouls they called on UCLA for the most part were fair, but UCLA was drawing similar contact on the other end and getting no calls.  While UCLA's stars were hampered by foul trouble all game long, and 2 Bruins fouled out (Rebekah Gardner and Jasmine Dixon), Stanford got away with alot of physical play, and perhaps if UCLA got the fouls they earned, the added freethrows and Stanford players having to sit on the bench could have created a closer game.

From WBB Pac10 Championship Game

UCLA had a 10-2 run to cut the game to 58-45 and looked to have founded a groove, but Stanford stomped that right out, and pushed the lead back up to 20 before winning by 24 as they closed the game on an 8-0 run, and by that time UCLA had run out of gas.  Jasmine went down hard in the 2nd half and had to be helped off, walked off the court under her own power and went into the locker room.  We were all scared it was something serious just before the tournament, but a few minutes later she emerged and re-entered the game, so it seems all is well.  After the game was over, Jasmine Dixon and Markel Walker were named to the all tournament team along with 2 players from Stanford and 1 player from USC.  Photos from the game can be seen here thanks to B D.

Jasmine Dixon was the only Bruin to score double digits, with 20 points on the day.  UCLA had a poor shooting day at 33% compared to 50% for Stanford.  Stanford outrebounded us and outscored us in the paint, which is something UCLA normally does to their opponents.  UCLA had only 16 turnovers which is surprising against a good Stanford defense is actually below our season average, while forcing 15 turnovers from the Cardinal, so that was a bright spot.

UCLA now has a record of 24-8.  Their next game is out of their hands, as they will have to wait to see where the tournament selection committee will send them.  The selection show is set for 4pm PST on ESPN.  Nikki in her post game presser stated that she believed UCLA has earned a 5 of a 6 seed.  I personally would be very surprised if we got a 5 seed, but I think a 6 seed is very realistic and the team is deserving of nothing less, and hopefully will not have to play a 3 seed on their own home court.  Wherever the Bruins are sent, I and 28 other band members will follow, so I hopefully will be able to report from the tournament.