UCLA women’s basketball guard Kiki Rice has said more than once over the last few weeks that the Bruins are weathering a storm.
Between losses and player absences – both anticipated and unanticipated – the ninth-ranked Bruins (19-4 overall, 8-4 Pac-12) have endured a tumultuous stretch, but they are feeling optimistic ahead of a weekend road trip that will include games against No. 11 Oregon State (20-3, 9-3) on Friday night and Oregon (11-14, 2-10) on Sunday afternoon.
“We still have a little bit of work to do,” UCLA coach Cori Close said. “We’re having the same confidence, cohesion, habits that we want. Our trajectory is going in the right direction, and I think we’re peeking out of the storm.”
Six-foot-7 center Lauren Betts returned to the lineup for the Bruins’ victory over Arizona last Friday and their win against Arizona State on Sunday after missing four games due to an undisclosed medical reason.
Betts has contributed offensively (15 ppg) this season, but Close sees her as an even greater asset on defense. She’s pulled down 92 defensive rebounds in 19 games.
Close challenged the team to aggressively defend in Betts’ absence, and it seems as though the Bruins are keeping that mentality even with their teammate back.
“We want to do a great job on the offensive end, being very aware of where she is and great touches for her,” Close said, “but we also we can’t lose the aggressiveness from our guards. It’s just really important that they play with a hunter’s mentality.”
Angela Dugalić and Lina Sontag will be back this week after qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics with Serbia and Germany, respectively, at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament. It will be Germany’s first-ever appearance in Olympic women’s basketball.
The two Bruins traveled for nearly 24 hours to get to Brazil, where the tournament was held, and they missed roughly a week of practice time for the event.
Dugalić has started in all but one of the 19 games she’s played in this season and is averaging 9.1 points and seven rebounds per game with an additional 20 steals. She’s logged two or more steals in her last four games.
She credits her international experience for creating a sense of urgency in her game.
“It’s a lot quicker pace in the sense that there’s a shorter shot clock,” Dugalić said. “You receive the ball and they expect you to shoot. I wouldn’t say it’s more freedom – I would say I have to have more confidence in myself.”
Sontag has been a rising star on UCLA’s defense this season and has received increased playing time and even a spot in the starting lineup in three straight games before departing for Olympic qualification. She had a season-high four steals against Utah on Jan. 22.
Freshman Amanda Mute and sophomore Christeen Iwuala also received increased playing time in the absence of their teammates and have added to UCLA’s depth.
“Everybody’s got to be ready all the time,” Close said. “We want to grow in that chemistry of what we have and integrate the three players that we’ve been missing off and on over the last month. But we also really want to have a sense of, I can be counted on when my number is called.”
Oregon State is on a five-game win streak and is led by sophomore post player Raegan Beers, who was named Pac-12 Player of the Week after recording her 28th career double-double against No. 4 Colorado.
She logged 12 points and 12 rebounds against the Buffs and scored 17 points to go with eight rebounds in the game prior against Utah. The Utes were held to 40 points below their scoring average in that game as well.
“They’re just being so stingy,” Close said. “And that allows them to play at the pace they want to play and control that pace and limit possessions. They’re just doing the best job right now at playing to their identity.”
UCLA has a refreshed outlook as it navigates out of this season’s storm. Oregon State and Oregon will be a good indicator of how much the Bruins have grown in that time.
“Our energy has been really, really good,” Dugalić said. “We’re continuing to push ourselves and push each other. Honestly, it was great to be back. I love being here.”
No. 9 UCLA (19-4, 8-4) vs. No. 11 Oregon State (20-3, 9-3)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Where: Gill Coliseum, Corvallis, Ore.
TV: Pac-12 Networks
No. 9 UCLA vs. Oregon (11-14, 2-10)
When: Sunday, 2 p.m.
Where: Matthew Knight Arena, Eugene, Ore.
TV: Pac-12 Networks