Gallery: UCLA women’s basketball loses in Sweet 16 for 2nd straight year

By Eden Yu

April 3, 2024 10:37 a.m.

UCLA women’s basketball fell to LSU in the NCAA Tournament Regional Semifinal. This marks back-to-back years where the Bruins’ postseason run ended in the Sweet 16, where they hold a 1-5 record over the past 10 years.

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Sophomore center Lauren Betts looks for a way around LSU forward Angel Reese.

The 6-foot-7 sophomore secured 17 rebounds for UCLA and had the most playing time out of all the Bruins. Betts faced Reese in the paint throughout the game; the two were teammates on Team USA this past summer.

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Sophomore guard Londynn Jones floats toward the basket for a layup.

Jones posted 12 points on 14 attempts from deep on the night.

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A sea of purple jerseys surrounds sophomore guard Kiki Rice as she looks for an open shot.

The sophomore notched 13 points – just behind teammates Betts, Jones and sophomore forward Gabriela Jaquez, all of whom contributed 14 points each.

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Rice makes a layup after an LSU turnover.

The Bruins had 19 total turnovers, while the Tigers had 13.

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The Bruins celebrate after a scoring run.

The two teams went head-to-head with 13 lead changes. UCLA had an 8-0 run in the third quarter – its largest of the night.

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Betts and Jones defend LSU guard Hailey Van Lith while Reese looks for the pass.

Betts said the Bruins’ defense needed work that night.

“We just needed to get stops. Our defense was just not good enough today,” Betts said. “We just fell asleep at certain times, and the minute you fall asleep, they take advantage of that.”

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The bench erupts in excitement.

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Rice protects the ball from LSU guard Flau’jae Johnson.

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Graduate student guard Charisma Osborne dribbles past LSU guard Mikaylah Williams.

This game marked the graduate student’s last game as a Bruin after forgoing declaring for the 2023 WNBA draft.

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Betts shoots a free throw.

Betts finished 6-for-11 from the line.

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The Bruin bench looks visibly concerned.

In the last two minutes of the game, nine fouls were committed.

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Coach Cori Close speaks to Osborne in the last few minutes of the game.

Close commented on the graduate student’s future in the WNBA and overseas.

“Charisma’s just starting her basketball career,” Close said. “She’s going to do great things, but I always want that to pale in comparison to the young woman she’s become and the leader she’s become.”

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Osborne looks for a pass around LSU guard Last-Tear Poa.

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Sophomore forward Lina Sontag huddles with the team in tears after their Sweet 16 loss.

Of the past 13 years, UCLA women’s basketball has been eliminated from the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament five times, making it to the Elite Eight only once in its 2017-2018 season.

Eden Yu | Sports contributor
Yu is currently a Sports contributor on the men's volleyball beat. She was previously a contributor on the cross country and track & field beats.
Yu is currently a Sports contributor on the men's volleyball beat. She was previously a contributor on the cross country and track & field beats.
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