Albany, New York – Every year, the disappointment for UCLA during March Madness remains a constant. Despite the hopes and possibilities that come with leading the defending national champions, the Bruins once again found themselves facing the bitter taste of defeat in the NCAA women’s basketball tournament.
Coach Cori Close has led the Bruins through six trips to the tournament’s weekend rounds, with one ending in the Elite Eight and five others in the Sweet 16. However, their latest stumble came in a 78-69 loss to Louisiana State in the Albany 2 Regional semifinal. The Bruins squandered a lead and missed crucial opportunities in the final minutes, ultimately sealing their fate.
The Bruins’ inability to generate a breakthrough when it mattered most left a somber atmosphere in the locker room. Close took responsibility for the team’s shortcomings, acknowledging missed opportunities and crucial errors down the stretch. UCLA guard Kiki Rice summed up the sentiment by expressing her disappointment in falling short of their goal for the season.
Despite the tough loss, there were moments of resilience and determination from UCLA. Players like Gabriela Jaquez, Londynn Jones, and Lauren Betts showed flashes of brilliance, but sloppy ball-handling and cold shooting plagued the team throughout the game. The Bruins struggled to maintain their lead and fell short in critical moments, allowing LSU to secure the victory.
The post-game handshake line saw a brief exchange between UCLA and LSU players, adding a hint of drama to an already intense matchup. While frustrations ran high for the Bruins, they remained committed to using this setback as fuel for future success. As they regroup and reflect on their season, UCLA will look to learn from this experience and come back stronger next year.
In the end, UCLA fell short of their championship aspirations once again, leaving a sense of unfinished business for the team. As players like Charisma Osborne sought solace in the aftermath of the defeat, the Bruins will have to come to terms with this latest disappointment and find ways to bounce back stronger in the seasons to come.