Connecticut Dominates UCLA in NCAA Final Four Semifinal
TAMPA, Fla. — In a surprising turn of events at the NCAA women’s basketball Final Four, the UCLA Bruins were overwhelmed by the Connecticut Huskies, suffering a staggering 85-51 loss. This defeat represents the largest margin of victory in an NCAA women’s national semifinal history.
A Historic Challenge for the Bruins
Despite entering the tournament as the No. 1 overall seed with a season record of 34-3, UCLA struggled significantly in the semifinal matchup. The Bruins’ performance was marred by 19 turnovers and a disappointing shooting night from beyond the arc, where they converted only four of their sixteen attempts.
Star center Lauren Betts showcased her skills with an impressive 26 points, shooting 61% from the field. Yet, her individual effort was not enough to propel her team, as they found themselves trailing by 20 points at halftime—the largest deficit they had faced all season.
Coach’s Reflections on the Loss
UCLA Coach Cori Close expressed her disappointment openly. “We got exposed. We got out-toughed. We got our butts beat today,” she said. “And it stings right now. May the pain of that regret and this loss, if handled well, buy us a ticket to be better the next time hopefully we get this opportunity.”
The Final Four marked a significant achievement for the Bruins, as it was their first appearance in this stage since 1979, and they sought guidance from experienced coaching peers to navigate the heightened pressure of such an event. However, the unique atmosphere proved challenging to adjust to for the players.
Connecticut’s Dominance and UConn Stars Shine
In stark contrast, the Huskies demonstrated their experience and readiness, marking their 16th Final Four appearance in the last 17 tournaments. UConn’s performance featured a strong contribution from freshman Sarah Strong, who led the team with 22 points and eight rebounds. Azzi Fudd added 19 points, while star Paige Bueckers finished with 16 points and five assists, showcasing the depth of UConn’s roster.
UConn Coach Geno Auriemma reflected on the game, stating, “I have to say that this was somewhat unexpected. UCLA is just really, really good and really, really hard to play against. It took everything we have, and I’m really humbled by their performance tonight.”
Lessons and Future Aspirations for UCLA
The season was a historic one for the Bruins, as they achieved a school record for wins, claimed their first No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament, and finally broke through the Sweet 16 barrier. Their journey to Tampa included a dramatic victory over rival USC, and they had exorcised past demons as they sought their championship aspirations.
Despite the loss, the team’s core—Betts, guard Kiki Rice, Gabriela Jaquez, and Londynn Jones—remains intact, with each player eligible to return for another season. Betts, visibly emotional, left the court with tears in her eyes, sharing words of encouragement with her teammates. “I hope this fuels us,” she said, vowing for a stronger comeback in the future.
A Call to Action
Moving forward, the Bruins will need to harness the lessons learned from their semifinal experience and translate the pain of this defeat into motivation. “We needed to go out and take the game and to go make plays, not have plays happen to us,” Rice said, emphasizing the necessity for proactive engagement in future contests.
The UCLA Bruins will undoubtedly return with renewed determination, ready to pursue their championship dreams as they step out of the shadows of this significant loss.