Bears Drop Heartbreaker To Bruins
Eric Evans

Bears Drop Heartbreaker To Bruins

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SEATTLE (AP) Jordin Canada scored 27 points and No. 9 UCLA held California scoreless for more than two minutes down the stretch to escape with a 77-74 victory in the Pac-12 tournament quarterfinals on Friday.

Mikayla Cowling's pull-up jumper put Cal up 69-68 with 2:40 remaining, but the Bruins responded with six consecutive points, going up 74-69 on two free throws by Canada with 38 seconds left. Kianna Smith hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer for Cal.

UCLA (24-6) advanced to Saturday's semifinals against sixth-ranked Oregon (28-4), which routed Colorado 84-47. Oregon defeated UCLA twice in conference play, 70-61 and 101-94 in overtime on Feb. 19.

Cowling had 16 points and Asha Thomas and Kristine Anigwe added 15 apiece for Cal (21-10), which lost to UCLA 82-46 and 60-52 during the regular season.

Kelli Hayes and Monique Billings each added 18 points for UCLA.

The Bears opened the fourth quarter with a 7-2 run, taking a 62-55 lead on a rebound putback by CJ West. UCLA capitalized on two turnovers to answer with 10 consecutive points to go back in front 65-62.

UCLA led 34-29 and extended it to 42-31 on two free throws by Billings. Cal methodically cut into the lead, pulling even at 49-49 on two free throws by Anigwe.

Anigwe's basket underneath in the closing seconds put Cal up 55-53 entering the final period.

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