Women’s Basketball Team Prepares for Final Four Clash with Texas
UCLA’s top-seeded women’s team arrived in Phoenix late Tuesday. The Bruins practiced Thursday at Mortgage Matchup Center before media obligations.
Road to Phoenix
UCLA enters the Final Four with a 35-1 record. The Bruins were perfect in conference play at 18-0.
They have won 29 straight games. Twenty-seven of those wins came by at least 10 points.
Recent postseason wins
UCLA claimed three straight victories at the Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis. That run produced a second consecutive conference tournament title.
The Bruins beat Minnesota in the Sweet 16. They then defeated Duke in the Elite Eight, 70-58. UCLA trailed 39-31 at halftime and outscored Duke 39-19 in the final two quarters.
Semifinal matchup and history
The Bruins are seeded No. 1 and will meet No. 1-seed Texas on Friday. The game tips at approximately 6:30 p.m. PT at Mortgage Matchup Center.
UCLA previously lost to Texas, 76-65, on Nov. 26 at Michelob ULTRA Arena. This trip marks UCLA’s second consecutive Final Four appearance.
Program milestones
The Bruins won the 1978 AIAW championship and returned to the Final Four in 1979. The NCAA began administering the women’s national tournament in 1981-82.
Team, coach and media activity
Coach Cori Close led a 90-minute practice Thursday. She then met with reporters alongside seniors Lauren Betts and Gabriela Jaquez.
Close said the team is confident and focused on controllable factors. She reflected on last spring and praised the squad’s maturity and growth.
Event details and broadcasts
The other semifinal pairs South Carolina (35-3, 15-1 SEC) against UConn (38-0, 20-0 Big East) at 4 p.m. PT. The UCLA-Texas game follows around 6:30 p.m. PT.
ESPN will televise UCLA’s semifinal. Announcers include Ryan Ruocco and Rebecca Lobo, with Holly Rowe on the sideline.
Fans can also hear the UCLA digital radio broadcast via Filmogaz.com/watch. Westwood One’s national radio carries the game on SiriusXM 84.
Title game
Winners advance to the national championship on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. PT. ABC will televise the title contest from Mortgage Matchup Center.
Fan events and logistics
Pauley Pavilion will host a free Final Four watch party on Friday at 6 p.m. PT. The arena will show the UCLA-Texas game on its videoboard.
Food, beer and wine will be available for purchase. Pauley Pavilion’s clear bag policy will be in effect.
- UCLA record: 35-1, 18-0 Big Ten
- Texas record: 35-3, 13-3 Big 12
- South Carolina record: 35-3, 15-1 SEC
- UConn record: 38-0, 20-0 Big East
