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The UCLA women’s basketball team plays their second game in the US Virgin Islands Paradise Jam this morning when they take on the undefeated Kentucky Wildcats today at 10 am PT.
Last Time Out
In the Bruins’ opening game of the Paradise Jam, UCLA was crushed by North Carolina, 83-49. Lindsey Corsaro scored the first points of the game for UCLA on a tip-in. It was downhill for the Bruins from there. Paris Kea responded with a 3-pointer for the Tar Heels and that was the game as the Bruins were unable to tie it up or take the lead after that shot. The Tar Heels led by as many as 12 in the first quarter, but the Bruins were able to cut the Tar Heel lead back down to six by the time the quarter ended and UCLA trailed 26-19.
Things got worse in the second quarter as UCLA fell behind by 14 and the teams went into the locker room with it 44-30 at the half.
It didn’t get any better in the second half as North Carolina increased their lead to 25 points after three quarters and UCLA trailed 67-42. In the fourth quarter, Cori Close sat most of her starters as the Tar Heels continued their domination of the Bruins. When all was said and done, UCLA lost this game by 34 points, 83-49.
The only things that soften the blow of this game are the fact that the game wasn’t televised and that the men’s basketball team was crushed by Michigan State on national TV last night.
Kentucky Wildcats
The undefeated Kentucky Wildcats won their first game of the Paradise Jam yesterday, upsetting the #17 South Florida Bulls, 85-63.
In their first four games, the Wildcats have crushed each opponent except for Virginia which the Cats beat by “only” 12 points.
Kentucky is led by freshman Rhyne Howard, who’s averaging 16.6 points per game, senior Taylor Murray, who’s averaging 14.0 ppg, and senior Maci Morris, who’s averaging 12.4 ppg. Howard also leads the team in rebounds with an average of 5.2 per game while Murray leads the team in assists with 3.6 per game and steals with 3.2 per game.
Outlook
This game doesn’t look to be an easier than yesterday’s game against UNC. So, I won’t be surprised to see the Bruins lose this one by at least 20 points.
I hope I’m wrong, but I don’t think I will be.
Go Bruins.