Christeen Iwuala #22 of the UCLA Bruins fights for the ball against Sacramento State Hornets in the first half of a first round NCAA women’s tournament college basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles on Saturday, March 18, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Kiki Rice #1 of the UCLA Bruins reaches for the loose ball against the Sacramento State Hornets in the first half of a first round NCAA women’s tournament college basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles on Saturday, March 18, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
UCLA Bruins take on the Sacramento State Hornets in the first half of a first round NCAA women’s tournament college basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles on Saturday, March 18, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Jordan Olivares #23 of the Sacramento State Hornets scramble for the loose ball against Charisma Osborne #20 of the UCLA Bruins in the first half of a first round NCAA women’s tournament college basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles on Saturday, March 18, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Head coach Cori Close of the UCLA Bruins reacts against Sacramento State Hornets in the first half of a first round NCAA women’s tournament college basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles on Saturday, March 18, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Charisma Osborne #20 of the UCLA Bruins reaches for the loose ball against the Sacramento State Hornets in the first half of a first round NCAA women’s tournament college basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles on Saturday, March 18, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Emily Bessoir #11 of the UCLA Bruins shoots against Sacramento State Hornets in the first half of a first round NCAA women’s tournament college basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles on Saturday, March 18, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Gabriela Jaquez #23 of the UCLA Bruins rebounds against Isnelle Natabou #24 of the Sacramento State Hornets in the first half of a first round NCAA women’s tournament college basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles on Saturday, March 18, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Isnelle Natabou #24 of the Sacramento State Hornets rebounds against the UCLA Bruins in the first half of a first round NCAA women’s tournament college basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles on Saturday, March 18, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Gina Conti #10 of the UCLA Bruins shoots against Sacramento State Hornets in the first half of a first round NCAA women’s tournament college basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles on Saturday, March 18, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Lina Sontag # 21 of the UCLA Bruins reaches for the rebound against Isnelle Natabou #24 Sacramento State Hornets in the first half of a first round NCAA women’s tournament college basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles on Saturday, March 18, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Kiki Rice #1 of the UCLA Bruins shoots against Sacramento State Hornets in the first half of a first round NCAA women’s tournament college basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles on Saturday, March 18, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Lina Sontag # 21 of the UCLA Bruins reaches for the rebound against Isnelle Natabou #24 Sacramento State Hornets in the first half of a first round NCAA women’s tournament college basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles on Saturday, March 18, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Gabriela Jacquez #23 of the UCLA Bruins shoots against Sacramento State Hornets in the first half of a first round NCAA women’s tournament college basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles on Saturday, March 18, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Charisma Osborne, left of the UCLA Bruins scrambles for the loose ball against Jordan Olivares #23 Sacramento State Hornets in the first half of a first round NCAA women’s tournament college basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles on Saturday, March 18, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Kiki Rice #1 of the UCLA Bruins shoots against Sacramento State Hornets in the first half of a first round NCAA women’s tournament college basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles on Saturday, March 18, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Kiki Rice #1 of the UCLA Bruins shoots over Jordan Olivares #23 of the Sacramento State Hornets in the first half of a first round NCAA women’s tournament college basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles on Saturday, March 18, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Lina Sontag #21 of the UCLA Bruins rebounds against Kaylin Randhawa #21 of the Sacramento State Hornets in the first half of a first round NCAA women’s tournament college basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles on Saturday, March 18, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Kiki Rice #1 of the UCLA Bruins drives to the basket against the Sacramento State Hornets in the first half of a first round NCAA women’s tournament college basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles on Saturday, March 18, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Charisma Osborne #20 of the UCLA Bruins rebounds against Sacramento State Hornets in the first half of a first round NCAA women’s tournament college basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles on Saturday, March 18, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Charisma Osborne #20 of the UCLA Bruins reaches for the rebound against Sacramento State Hornets in the first half of a first round NCAA women’s tournament college basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles on Saturday, March 18, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Charisma Osborne #20 of the UCLA Bruins rebounds against Sacramento State Hornets in the first half of a first round NCAA women’s tournament college basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles on Saturday, March 18, 2023. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Gabriela Jaquez #23 of the UCLA Bruins drives down the court against the Sacramento State Hornets in the second half of a first round NCAA women’s tournament college basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles on Saturday, March 18, 2023. UCLA Bruins won 67-45. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Gabriela Jaquez #23 of the UCLA Bruins reaches for the loose ball against Jordan Olivares #23 of the Sacramento State Hornets in the second half of a first round NCAA women’s tournament college basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles on Saturday, March 18, 2023. UCLA Bruins won 67-45. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
UCLA Bruins reacts after a basket against the Sacramento State Hornets in the second half of a first round NCAA women’s tournament college basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles on Saturday, March 18, 2023. UCLA Bruins won 67-45. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
UCLA Bruins bench reacts after teammate Charisma Osborne (not pictured) of the UCLA Bruins scores against the Sacramento State Hornets in the second half of a first round NCAA women’s tournament college basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles on Saturday, March 18, 2023. UCLA Bruins won 67-45. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Christeen Iwuala #22 of the UCLA Bruins reaches for the rebound against Isnelle Natabou #24 of the Sacramento State Hornets in the second half of a first round NCAA women’s tournament college basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles on Saturday, March 18, 2023. UCLA Bruins won 67-45. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Christeen Iwuala #22 of the UCLA Bruins reaches for the rebound against Isnelle Natabou #24 of the Sacramento State Hornets in the second half of a first round NCAA women’s tournament college basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles on Saturday, March 18, 2023. UCLA Bruins won 67-45. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
A video cameraman sits along in the second half of a first round NCAA women’s tournament college basketball game at Pauley Pavilion between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Portland Pilots in Los Angeles on Saturday, March 18, 2023. UCLA Bruins won 67-45. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Head coach Cori Close of the UCLA Bruins during a time out against the Sacramento State Hornets in the second half of a first round NCAA women’s tournament college basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles on Saturday, March 18, 2023. UCLA Bruins won 67-45. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Head coach Cori Close of the UCLA Bruins reacts against the Sacramento State Hornets in the second half of a first round NCAA women’s tournament college basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles on Saturday, March 18, 2023. UCLA Bruins won 67-45. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
UCLA Bruins bench reacts after teammate Charisma Osborne (not pictured) of the UCLA Bruins scores against the Sacramento State Hornets in the second half of a first round NCAA women’s tournament college basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles on Saturday, March 18, 2023. UCLA Bruins won 67-45. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Head coach Cori Close of the UCLA Bruins reacts against the Sacramento State Hornets in the second half of a first round NCAA women’s tournament college basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles on Saturday, March 18, 2023. UCLA Bruins won 67-45. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Charisma Osborne #20 of the UCLA Bruins looks on against the Sacramento State Hornets in the second half of a first round NCAA women’s tournament college basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles on Saturday, March 18, 2023. UCLA Bruins won 67-45. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Head coach Mark Campbell of the Sacramento State Hornets against the UCLA Bruins in the second half of a first round NCAA women’s tournament college basketball game at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles on Saturday, March 18, 2023. UCLA Bruins won 67-45. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
LOS ANGELES — UCLA women’s basketball coach Cori Close said she has learned that this season’s group of Bruins intrinsically works hard and needs little motivation. In the past, too much pressure has caused cracks.
Saturday night’s 67-45 win over Sacramento State had minimal fissures. The Bruins were smooth and having fun in the first round of the NCAA tournament at Pauley Pavilion.
“That was a very conscious choice on our staff’s part,” Close said. “If we keep preparing with great focus, then we also need to bring great joy.”
The Bruins (26-9) move on to play fifth-seeded Oklahoma, which beat Portland, 85-63, earlier on Saturday evening at Pauley Pavilion. The Greenville 1 Region Round of 32 game will be at the same location on Monday at 7 p.m.
“I was having so much fun,” senior Charisma Osborne said. “Even before the game, we were having so much fun in the locker room. Just the energy of seeing so many people out there, we were all super excited to finally play.”
Three players finished in double-digits in scoring for UCLA. Charisma Osborne had a double-double of 11 points and 12 rebounds in addition to five assists. Emily Bessoir had 14 points and eight boards and Kiki Rice chipped in a team-high 15 points.
UCLA quickly jumped out to a 16-2 lead that was finished off by a Londynn Jones 3-pointer as the Bruins rotated through a plethora of player combinations. At one point, four freshmen were on the court in Lina Sontang, Kiki Rice, Gabriela Jaquez and Christeen Iwuala alongside Osborne.
Ten different players rotated in for UCLA and all but one played roughly 15 minutes or more against the Hornets (25-8).
“It is super cool having all freshmen out there,” Osborne said. “I don’t think any other team in the country is able to do that.”
The second quarter featured fluid passing and gritty hustle plays from the Bruins. When Sacramento State’s Kahlaijah Dean hit back-to-back jumpers, Osborne grabbed the ball off the ground and dribbled with the left hand then the right before passing to Bessoir for a 3-pointer. The Bruins led 40-23 by halftime.
Bessoir has been working to become more aggressive after missing last season due to injury. But at times, her calm demeanor comes in handy on the big stage.
“Em’s such a sweet girl,” Rice said. “But we know how lethal she can be out there. When she’s hitting shots and playing great, our team is so much better. Whatever shot she takes, we think it’s going in.”
As a team, the Bruins shot 41% and out-rebounded the Hornets 47-32.
Both teams each put up nine points by the first media time out of the third quarter, but UCLA maintained its lead. Londynn Jones, who left the game just before halftime with an apparent lower body injury, gave her team a 30-point lead on a three.
UCLA outscored Sacramento State 13-11 in the final quarter to improve to 6-0 all time against the Hornets.
Isnelle Natabou scored 16 points and pulled down 10 rebounds for Sacramento State (25-8), which was making its first appearance in the NCAA tournament in program history in Mark Campbell’s second year as head coach.
“There were only four teams in California that got to play in this tournament,” Campbell said. “That’s Stanford, UCLA, USC and Sac State. And there’s a lot of colleges in California. So it shows that you can build an elite mid-major program and we did that.”
The Bruins dictated the pace of the game and kept things quick against the methodical Hornets. Close said that Monday night’s game against Oklahoma might have a different cadence. The Sooners made 29 of 70 shots against Portland and shot 36% from 3-point range.
“It is the absolute opposite,” Close said. “Oklahoma is one of the most fast-paced teams. A really good offensive team. All of them are versatile.”
