UCLA suffered another loss against a top 10 team on Sunday. This time, they were defeated by No. 6 South Carolina, 66-57. After the loss, the Bruins have to come together to close out their road trip when they face North Carolina A&T. A win against A&T can be just what they need before they head back home.

In Sunday’s game, the first quarter was the best quarter of the day for the Bruins and that’s saying a lot. After the first quarter, they led 11-6. At one point in the second quarter, they had increased their lead to seven points. Before the half, South Carolina slowly caught up to tie the game at 26-26. Things got worse for the Bruins in the third quarter. Jordin Canada was called for her fourth foul in the first two minutes and sat out until the final four minutes of the quarter. They trailed by 11 points heading into the fourth. It did not look up for them in the fourth as South Carolina extended the lead to as much as 16 points. The Bruins were able to close the gap to 9, but time ran out and South Carolina defeated UCLA 66-57.

Saying it was an off night for UCLA is an understatement. They had what could possibly be their worst game of the season. Just in the first half, Bruins led in fouls 15-8 with every Bruin that played racking up a foul. Five had two fouls while one had three. The shooting was also off as they made only 4 of 27 attempts from the three-point range. They had a hard time finding the net. But not everything was gloomy for the Bruins as Monique Billings reached a career-high of 22 rebounds along with 12 points for the night.

Now, UCLA has one more road game as they wrap up their non-conference play against North Carolina A&T. The Aggies have a record of 2-8, respectively. Their losses have come by multiple points, most blowouts. It does not look like it will be a good day for them. UCLA will come into the game angry about the loss to South Carolina and poor North Carolina will pay. UCLA has one more game left before conference play and will need to regroup themselves. The North Carolina will be a god game for them to do so and figure out whatever it is they need to.

Playing teams higher ranked than them have been difficult for UCLA. But it has only been two games and there’s plenty more left. Especially since conference play starts up next week. UCLA has one more game left to tinker with what they need to before the games really start to count.

#10 UCLA Women’s Basketball (8-2, 0-0)

Opponent: North Carolina A&T Aggies (2-8, 0-0)

When: 9 AM PT, Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Where: Corbett Sports Center, Greensboro, NC

TV: None

Stream: None

Audio: uclabruins.com

Official Game Preview

Go Bruins!!!