LOS ANGELES –Despite an inspired second-half effort, the Cal women's basketball team could not snap its losing streak, falling at UCLA, 80-74, on Sunday afternoon. The Golden Bears (14-11, 5-9 Pac-12) overcame a 14-point deficit to take a lead midway through the fourth quarter, but the Bruins (16-9, 9-5 Pac-12) responded down the stretch to secure the regular series sweep.
Senior Kristine Anigwe led the Bears with 27 points and 15 rebounds, going 11-14 from the floor on the afternoon. Asha Thomas added 18 points for Cal while junior Jaelyn Brown scored all 13 of her points in the second half, as Cal battled back from a 10-point halftime deficit.
UCLA's Japreece Dean led all scorers with a season-high 28 points, going 4-9 from beyond the arc. Michaela Onyenwere (23 points) and Kennedy Burke (13 points) also helped power the Bruins' offense.
With both teams looking to bounce back from close losses on Friday night, the first quarter of Sunday's matchup was a back-and-forth affair that saw six lead changes. Cal led 22-19 after the first quarter thanks to a three-pointer by Thomas right before the buzzer. Thomas finished the game 3-of-5 from beyond the arc while also chipping in five rebounds.
However, UCLA ramped up its patented pressure in the second quarter and was able to frustrate Cal's ball-handlers. The Bruins forced the Bears into seven turnovers in the second quarter, which they turned into 12 points off turnovers. UCLA gained separation with an 18-2 run and outscored Cal by an overall margin of 24-11 in the second quarter. Anigwe kept the Bears within striking distance, scoring nine of the Bears' 11 points in the second quarter. Anigwe extended her historic double-double streak to 26 in a row with her 27-point, 15-rebound outing on Sunday, and continued her climb through the Pac-12 record books. The three-time All-Pac-12 selection passed former USC great Lisa Leslie for fifth on the conference career scoring charts and moved into fourth on the Pac-12 career rebounding list, passing Washington's Chantel Osahor and Stanford's Jayne Appel.
Trailing by as many as 14 points early in the third quarter, Cal responded with a 17-4 run to get right back in it. Brown, who also put together an impressive second-half performance Friday night against USC, scored seven points during Cal's run, also adding an assist, blocked shot, and key offensive rebound. Brown finished the game with 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting, also contributing two assists and three rebounds.
However, UCLA was able to quell Cal's momentum late in the quarter, when Anigwe was called for her third foul of the day. With the All-American candidate temporarily on the bench, the Bruins put together a 7-0 run of their own.
Cal was able to close the deficit and took a lead in the opening seconds of the fourth quarter when Anigwe converted off a lob from freshman McKenzie Forbes. The teams continued to trade baskets in the fourth quarter before the Bruins went on an 8-0 run, bookended by three-pointers from Dean and Onyenwere. Cal went 0-for-6 from three-point range in the fourth quarter and the Bruins went 6-for-6 from the foul line in the final minute of play to secure the win.
The Bears will be back in action on Friday, hosting No. 19 Arizona State (18-6, 9-4 Pac-12) at 7 p.m. PT at Haas Pavilion.
For more information and updates on the team throughout the season, follow the Bears on Twitter (@CalWBball), Instagram (@CalWBball) and Facebook (Facebook.com/CalWBball).
