On February 7th, the Washington Huskies Women’s basketball team lost their home matchup with the UCLA Bruins, 84 – 50.
Washington (80 possessions) and UCLA (84 possessions) had an almost equal number of offensive possessions.
Likewise, the Huskies (54 field goal attempts overall) and Bruins (57 field goal attempts) were almost equal in their shot attempts for the game.
However, UCLA shot 52.6% overall versus Washington’s 38.9% shooting average.
Getting to the crux of the matter, the Bruins shot 40.9% on 22 attempts from behind the three-point line; meanwhile, the Huskies only managed 22.2% efficiency on 18 attempts from three-point range.
As a result, the Dawgs allowed UCLA to average an astounding 1.0 point per possession (ppp); meanwhile, the Huskies only managed 0.637 points per possession (ppp).
Further hurting the cause, the Huskies’ 19 turnovers meant Washington could not take advantage of UCLA’s uncharacteristic 17 turnovers (the Bruins averaged 11.5 turnovers coming into the game).
Washington’s defense struggled throughout the game.
In the first quarter, UCLA scored 17 points entirely on two-pointers (50% shooting), even as UCLA went zero for six (6) from the three-point line.
In the second quarter, UCLA increased it scoring to 19 points for the period; and the Bruins shot 50% from three-point range, as well as 57.1% on two-point shots.
UCLA’s scoring continued to rise as the Huskies allowed 22 points by the Bruins in the third quarter.
In the third, the Bruins’ shot efficiency increased dramatically as they made 66.7% of their three-point attempts and 57.1% from two-point range.
The fourth quarter continued UCLA’s offensive onslaught — or Washington’s defensive downfall — as the Bruins scored 24 points in the final 10 minutes while making 85.7% of their two-point attempts and 50% of their three-pointers.
Accordingly, Washington’s overall defensive statistics were not good.
Only one UW player held UCLA offensive players scoreless in their individual defensive matchups — Jess Finney with one (1) possession defended (against Charisma Osbourne).
Haley Van Dyke, however, impacted the game defensively with an incredible five steals (although she also allowed 50% shooting individually).
Arguably, however, the co-defensive player of the game was redshirt freshman Nia Lowery with an impressive ten (10) possessions defended individually, while limiting UCLA offensive players to 28.6% shooting overall.
One other Husky with a notable performance, Darcy Rees individually defended six (6) UCLA possessions, while limiting offensive players to 33.3% shooting.
No other Husky player individually held UCLA players below 50% shooting overall.
The Huskies look to bounce back on the road at Arizona State on Friday, February 12th at 4pm.
