No. 11 UCLA Rolls Past Fresno State 82-48; Win Fifth Straight
UCLA freshman forward Gabriela Jaquez (23) finished with a season-high 15 points on Tuesday, December 20. 2022 (Courtesy Photo)
The No. 11 ranked UCLA Women’s Basketball cruised to an 82-48 victory over Fresno State behind four players finishing in double-figures on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion.
It marked UCLA’s highest scoring game of the season as the Bruins picked up its fifth win in a row during their Non-Conference Finale against the Bulldogs. UCLA improved to 12-1 on the season with the win while Fresno State dropped to 7-6 with the loss.
“I’m proud of our team. I told them to earn a well-deserved break, and not to just coast into a break… I’m pleased with our growth,” UCLA coach Cori Close said.
Senior guard Charisma Osborne finished with a team-high 16 points, converting 7-of-11 attempts and two three-pointers for UCLA. Freshman forward Gabriela Jaquez had a season-high 15 points off the bench, along with a season-high four steals.
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UCLA held Fresno State to just nine points in the first period as they jumped out to a 17-9 advantage.
Fellow freshman Kiki Rice also added double figures with 14 points and six rebounds and first-year guard Londynn Jones scored eight of her 10 points in the fourth period for the Bruins.
Senior guard Yanina Todorova had 13 points for the Bulldogs while senior forward Imani Lacy added 12 points off the bench.
The Bruins used a 13-0 run in the second period behind baskets from Osborne, Jaquez, and Rice, capturing a 40-25 halftime lead.
UCLA played stifling defense as they recorded 12 steals and forced the Bulldogs into committing 23 turnovers on the night.
The Bruins caught fire in the final period and made 9-of-10 shots to outscore Fresno State 24-7 in the fourth. UCLA went on to lead by as many as 34 points and never were outscored in any quarter.
“Part of the scouting report was pressuring the ball and really being in denial [of the ball],” Jaquez said.
The Bruins will enjoy one week of holiday break before traveling to face the No. 16 Oregon Ducks on Friday, Dec. 30 at 6 p.m.
“Mental focus is everything when you’re in these tight games,” said Close on preparing for their second conference game of the season.
