UCLA 33, Indiana 21
Last second basket by Indiana made the score a bit more presentable for the home team. Hopefully doesn't give them too much hope.
When your shooting isn't lighting things up, elite defense will carry the team. As observed by the TV analysis at one point, this is truly an elite defense - all over the court. When you have the height advantage this team has and those same players also give you an advantage in quickness and athleticism, you have something really special to build on.
Bruins responded with a 15-5 Q2 - truly dominant there. The talent on this team is really amazing. Hoosiers build around a very good 6'3" post only to run into UCLA which, in addition to Betts, has a bunch of players that size or an inch taller who are more than capable of neutralizing the Hoosier's center.
8 Bruins have played. 8 Bruins have scored. Betts of course leads with 9 but they're all on the books. Rice asserted herself late in the quarter as well.
Quibbles are free throw shooting (reminds me of the men's team) - 5-9 isn't great on free throws - and Betts has to master the habit of NOT bringing that ball down to make plays - she was turned over two times I recall for sure and I think there may have been a couple more when that happened.
Quibbles. They are on the road in a loud and hostile atmosphere against an opens on multi game winning streak and they have been challenged - and their three point shots aren't falling enough yet but riding their defense and using their talent and height on offense, they had a very successful first half - and, by the way, limited yet another opponent to 'way below their average in scoring.
This is a Whoosiers team averaging 79+ points a game and has 21 points after the first two quarters. Really really fun to watch.