After the men tallied a disappointing loss to Arizona State, No. 8 UCLA Women’s basketball will play the Sun Devils tonight at the Pauley Pavilion. The Bruins, who have won nine games in a row and haven’t lost since early January, find themselves in a three way tie at the top of the PAC-12. A loss today could ruin all hope of a conference championship. UCLA enters this game as strong favorites. They’re the stronger, more explosive team and will have homecourt advantage.

Though they may not be on UCLA’s level, the #25 Sun Devils are a strong team which could pull of an upset today. Arizona State has a strong, balanced team with no major weaknesses. Five of their players average more than nine points per game compared to just three for UCLA.

Led by junior forward Kianna Ibis, who has averaged 12.8 points per game, 6’3’’ center Cha Johnson-Chapman, who has averaged 7.0 rebounds per game while shooting 57.5% from the field, and guard Courtney Ekmark who leads the team in three pointers and has scored at least twelve in the past four games. On the Bruins side, look for forward Monique Billings, who has averaged 9.7 rebounds per game while scoring 14.4 points per game, and the team’s leading scorer Jordin Canada, who has scored 15.4 points per game.

UCLA needs a win today and the Sun Devils could provide a substantial threat to the Bruins’ conference championship ambitions. Look for a fast pace against this slower Arizona State team.


Go Bruins!