The No. 2 seeded UCLA women’s basketball team came back from an eight-point halftime deficit to defeat the No. 7 seed Creighton 67-63 at Pauley Pavilion in the second round of the NCAA tournament.
All-Pac-12 first-team guard Kiki Rice led UCLA with 24 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists, while center Lauren Betts recorded a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds, to help the Bruins advance to the Sweet 16 for the second-straight season.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 25: Kiki Rice #1 of the UCLA Bruins listens in a huddle while playing the Creighton Bluejays during the second round of the 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament held at UCLA Pauley Pavilion on March 25, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by John W. McDonough/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 25: Christeen Iwuala #22 of the UCLA Bruins defends as Kennedy Townsend #2 of the Creighton Bluejays dribbles during the second round of the 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament held at UCLA Pauley Pavilion on March 25, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by John W. McDonough/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 25: Emma Ronsiek #31 of the Creighton Bluejays drives against Angela Dugalic #32 of the UCLA Bruins during the second round of the 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament held at UCLA Pauley Pavilion on March 25, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by John W. McDonough/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 25: The UCLA Bruins cheer while ending a huddle before the game against the Creighton Bluejays during the second round of the 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament held at UCLA Pauley Pavilion on March 25, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by John W. McDonough/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 25: Lauren Jensen #15, Emma Ronsiek #31, Morgan Maly #30 and Mallory Brake #14 of the Creighton Bluejays defend against Gabriela Jaquez #23 of the UCLA Bruins during the second round of the 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament held at UCLA Pauley Pavilion on March 25, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by John W. McDonough/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
It wasn’t easy for UCLA. The Bluejays’ defense gave the home team fits in the first half, which led to a 42-34 lead for Creighton at the break.
But, the Bruins woke up in the second half, outscoring Creighton 22-14 in the third to tie things up going into the final quarter.
Neither team could get things going on the offensive end in the final frame.
Despite not scoring a field goal for the first 4:33 of the fourth, the Bluejays hung tough and got within two, being down 65-63 with less than two minutes to go.
That was when senior guard Charisma Osborne hit a clutch pull-up jumper with 1:30 left to put UCLA up by four and seal the victory.
The Bruins advanced to take on Angel Reese and the defending champion LSU Tigers in the next round. The Sweet 16 matchup will take place on Saturday.
