UCLA Women's Basketball: Cori Close Reflects On Defeat Of UConn

UCLA finally bested UConn Friday night.

For the first time in the school’s history, the UCLA Bruins women’s basketball team took down the UConn Huskies on Friday night by a score of 78-67 in the Cayman Islands Classic. The Bruins had been 0-7 against the Huskies, but they finally got over the hump this time around.

Bruins head coach Cori Close spoke about the game and praised her team for executing their game plan.

“We really were confident that if we executed the game plan, that we were going to win,” UCLA coach Cori Close said. “I say that with great respect [for UConn], but I really believe in what this team is building. I didn’t think we played our best basketball — we really had some moments we really need to clean up — but really proud of this next step and who we’re becoming.”

Per Cori Close via The LA Times

The Huskies were banged up entering the game, but that didn't take anything away from the win. They wanted to take this game just as much as the Bruins did, and it was a battle throughout. 

Guard Kiki Rice dropped 24 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists to lead the team, but it was a total team effort. Guard Charisma Osborne added in 18npoints and center Lauren Betts dropped 13 points. 

UCLA entered the game ranked second in the entire country, the highest ranking in the history of the school. And with this win over sixth-ranked UConn, it should only help their resume the rest of the way.

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