California
UCLA
2/16/2019 2:26 PM | Women's Basketball
Cal Continues Road Swing Sunday At UCLA
Cal at UCLA
Sunday, Feb. 17 | 4 PM PT | Pauley Pavilion | Los Angeles, CA | Pac-12 Networks
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LOS ANGELES – The Cal women's basketball team looks to return to its winning ways on Sunday when the Bears take on UCLA at 4 p.m. PT at Pauley Pavilion. The Golden Bears (14-10, 5-8 Pac-12) are looking to snap a four-game losing streak, coming off a narrow loss Friday night across town at USC. Cal clawed back from a 13-point deficit and took a one-point lead into the fourth quarter, but could not hold on down the stretch as the Women of Troy came away with the win. Kristine Anigwe had her second 30-point game in a row for the Bears, who also received significant offensive contributions from Recee Caldwell (15 points, six assists) and Asha Thomas (11 points).
The Bears will be taking on a Bruins squad that is also looking to bounce back from a loss on Friday night. UCLA (15-10, 8-5 Pac-12) saw its six-game winning streak come to an end after a 65-51 loss to No. 10 Stanford.
Sunday's game will be a rematch of a thrilling meeting between the Bears and Bruins earlier this season in Berkeley. Cal's conference opener saw 18 lead changes and eight ties before UCLA eventually prevailed in overtime, 84-79. Cal battled back from a 12-point second half deficit thanks to a combined 39 points from seniors Anigwe and Thomas in the second half and overtime. However, the Bruins battled back to force overtime and prevailed in the extra period. Anigwe led all players with 32 points and 14 rebounds while Thomas scored all 16 of her points after halftime and finished the game 5-10 from the floor. Michaela Onyenwere powered UCLA with 29 points while Kennedy Burke had 19 points and Lajahna Drummer had a team-high nine rebounds and 14 points.
Anigwe continues to lead the nation in rebounding at 15.8 rebounds per game and has extended her double-double streak to 25 in a row. A national Player of the Year candidate and one of 10 players on the recent Lisa Leslie Award Watch for the top center in the nation, Anigwe needs just 11 points to pass Leslie for fifth on the Pac-12 all-time scoring charts. Anigwe is also close passing Washington's Chantel Osahor for fifth on the conference career rebounding charts.
The series between the Bears and Bruins has been tightly contested, with seven of the last nine matchups decided by eight points or fewer. However, UCLA has held the advantage as of late, winning the last four games between the teams and six of the last seven overall.
FOLLOW THE ACTION
Sunday's game at UCLA will be broadcast live on Pac-12 Networks with Elise Woodward and Tammy Blackburn on the call. Live stats will also be available. Fans can receive additional in-game updates and behind-the-scenes information by following the Bears social media accounts (Twitter: @CalWBBall, Instagram: @CalWBBall).
SCOUTING THE BRUINS
The top rebounding team in the conference this season, UCLA saw its six-game winning streak come to an end on Friday night, falling to No. 10 Stanford, 65-51. The Bruins jumped out to a 13-8 lead after the first quarter but the Cardinal countered back, outscoring UCLA 27-6 in the second quarter. The Bruins got back within striking distance after a third quarter surge, but could not hold on for the upset. Michaela Onyenwere led the Bruins with 21 points while Kennedy Burke added 12 points for the hosts and Lajahna Drummer had a team-high 12 rebounds.
Onyenwere leads the Bruins in scoring this season and ranks ninth overall in the conference, averaging 17.8 points per game. The 5'11" Onyenwere also ranks sixth in the conference in rebounding at 8.4 rebounds per game and is second in the Pac-12 in offensive rebounding (3.9 offensive rebounds per game). Burke, an All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention last season, is second on the team in scoring at 14.1 points per game while guard Japreece Dean is also averaging double-figures for the Bruins and is the team's top three-point threat, shooting 36.3 percent (20-58) from beyond the arc this season while Drummer is third in the conference in rebounding at 9.3 rebounds per game.
Head coach Cori Close is in her eighth season in Westwood and has led the Bruins to three consecutive Sweet 16 appearances, highlighted by a trip to the Elite 8 last season.
UP NEXT
The Bears return to Berkeley for their final two home games of the 2018-19 season. Cal hosts No. 19 Arizona State at 7 p.m. PT on Friday evening before taking on Arizona at 2 p.m. PT on February 24 for Senior Day. The Bears dropped both matchups to the Arizona schools earlier this season, including a 62-61 loss to the Sun Devils in Tempe;
JOIN THE JOURNEY: THE RETURN OF THISISCALBASKETBALL.COM
Cal's one-of-a-kind multimedia fan site, ThisIsCalBasketball.com, is back for its seventh season and once again features an unprecedented look into the inner workings of the personalities behind the Cal women's basketball's roster. Visitors to ThisIsCalBasketball.com can get an in-depth look at the personalities behind the jerseys, from action and portrait photos to bio videos and conversations between current players and alumnae.
STAY POSTED
Keep up-to-date on the latest Cal women's basketball news by following the Bears on social media. View behind-the-scenes photos and videos and learn more about Cal and its student-athletes on Twitter (@CalWBball), Instagram (@CalWBball) and Facebook (Facebook.com/CalWBball).
