Conference play has begun and UCLA have started their campaign for the Pac-12 conference title. They handed Utah their first loss of the season winning 67-56 in their last game of 2016. They open the new year at home against No. 20 Colorado.

The Utah Utes came to the Pauley Pavilion undefeated and UCLA was ready to change that. And change that they did. They trailed at the beginning of the game, but it didn’t take long before they regained the lead they maintained the rest of the game. After having 10 days before their last game, they had some rust. They had their moments of brilliance, but it looked as if they were suffering from some holiday hangover. Sometimes they even took unnecessary jumpers. At some points coach Close herself did not look pleased with some of their sloppy plays.

Regardless of the outcome against Utah, the game was not one to end the year with. They have moments where they play exceptional defense, and then others where they let their opponent go the whole length of the court. They cannot allow that to happen. Colorado suffered a loss in their conference opener by unranked USC. It is a tough loss the Bruins can capitalize on. UCLA so far has not had problems with schools ranked lower than them. Sometimes they have sloppy play, evident in the Utah win, but they pull through. Against Colorado that can work, but that kind of game plan will not always come through for them.

In their last game they got the result they wanted, but maybe not in the fashion they wanted. They have to put the game behind them and start off the new year in Bruin fashion-with a win. There’s still some things that need to be tinkered with, but UCLA should not come up short against Colorado.

No. 10 UCLA Women’s Basketball (10-2, 1-0)

Opponent: Colorado (10-2,0-1)

When: Sunday, January 1, 2017, 2 PM PT

Where: Pauley Pavilion, Los Angeles, CA

TV: None

Stream: Pac-12.com and the Pac-12 Now App

Audio: uclabruins.com

Official Game Preview

Go Bruins!!!