No. 3 UCLA proved they’re bigger and better in outlasting No. 11 UNC for another top-15 win

Entering the third quarter, it was anybody’s game between No. 3 UCLA and No. 11 North Carolina.

However, the Bruins were able to go outscore the Tar Heels 43-28 the rest of the way to earn a 78-60 win, open the season 4-0 and give UNC their first loss of the season. Lauren Betts has 20 points, 10 rebounds and seven rebounds in the win. Kiki Rice also had a strong game. She finished with 15 points and 10 boards. Angela Dugalić led the bench, scoring 14 points for the Bruins. For UNC, Elina Aarnisalo led the charge, playing for 36 minutes while scoring 13 points.

UCLA now has two wins over ranked teams, beating No. 6 Oklahoma earlier this week and now earning a victory over No. 11 UNC.

Gianna Kneepkens got the scoring started for UCLA, but after her make, they went over four minutes without any points. Dugalić finally scored on a layup to put the Bruins back on the board. UNC, however, couldn’t really take advantage of UCLA’s slow start. They only led by one midway through the quarter. Both teams exchanged baskets, and the score was even at 12 with under a minute left in the first quarter.

In the closing seconds, Indya Nivar hit a 3-pointer from the wing and Aarnisalo scored on a buzzer-beating layup to give the Tar Heels a 17-12 edge entering the second quarter.

Just like the opening period, Kneepkens got the scoring started again for UCLA in the second quarter. This time it was a 3-pointer to put the Bruins within two. Betts then scored inside on a Rice dime. After a Dugalić basket from deep, it was an 8-0 run for UCLA to start the quarter.

UNC responded with Taliyah Henderson scoring on a layup to stop the run. Then, the Tar Heels went on a nice 8-0 run of their own to take control of the game. Gabriela Jaquez scored her first points for UCLA to stop the run, and then a Betts jumper near the elbow put UCLA back into things.

Betts scored again inside to even the score before a Dugalić layup put UCLA back in front. The rest of the quarter turned into a 3-point shooting contest. Lanie Grant and Blanca Thomas hit 3s for UNC, while Jaquez made one for UCLA. Charlisse Leger-Walker then scored in the closing seconds to give UCLA a one-point lead at the half.

In the third, UNC got on the board first to start a quarter. Ciera Toomey hit a 3 to put the Bruins ahead, but Rice countered with a 3 of her own. Both teams remained close during the opening minutes, but midway through the period, UCLA took charge.

Dugalić went on her own 4-0 scoring run. Jaquez, Betts and Rice all scored as well, making it a 10-0 run by the Bruins to end the quarter. Suddenly, a tight contest became a double-digit advantage for the Bruins as we entered the fourth.

The Tar Heels needed a good start in the final quarter if they wanted any chance of getting back into this one. Toomey scored for UNC to begin the fourth, but Jaquez was unbothered, knocking down another 3-pointer to keep UCLA in a groove.

UNC then struggled to score any field goals, and with UCLA getting buckets from Betts and Rice, the Bruins were suddenly up by 17. With under seven minutes left, the score and time were now against UNC. They weren’t able to generate enough offense or get enough stops to go on a run, and UCLA remained in the driver’s seat the rest of the way.

UCLA was bigger and better

It took a while, but eventually UCLA was able to overwhelm UNC. The Bruins’ ability to dominate the glass really helped. They won the rebounding battle 46-30.

Right now, UCLA just has too many offensive weapons compared to teams like UNC. The Tar Heels couldn’t keep up and didn’t have players they could rely on in the second half to generate the offensive output needed to remain in contact with the Bruins once they got going. The Tar Heels learned that when they play their best, they can compete with anyone, but they need better offensive execution to put together a complete 40-minute game.

Ultimately, this was a good win for UCLA, while showing that they still have some work to do.