BERKELEY – The Cal women's basketball team took the No. 10 team in the nation to overtime, before ultimately falling to UCLA, 74-70 on Sunday afternoon at Haas Pavilion. Playing their sixth Top-10 opponent of the season, the Golden Bears (9-14, 1-11 Pac-12) used an inspired second-half effort to push the Bruins (21-2, 10-2 Pac-12) to overtime, but were ultimately outscored by the visitors, 11-7 in the extra period.

"I think both teams played extremely hard and gave a ton of effort," said Cal head coach Charmin Smith. "Unfortunately we came up just a little bit short, but I'm proud of how we battled and how we competed against a really good team."

The Bears' tenacity was on display all afternoon as Cal grabbed a season-high 55 rebounds and held a 21-12 advantage over UCLA on the offensive glass. Four different players finished in double-figures for the Bears, led by the senior duo of Jaelyn Brown and CJ West. Brown had a team-high 17 points and went 2-4 from three-point range while West recorded her third double-double of the season with 11 points and 12 rebounds. West's 12 rebounds matched her season-high while she also set a career-best with eight offensive boards on the night.

Freshmen Cailyn Crocker (12 points) and Leilani McIntosh (11 points) also finished in double-figures for the Bears while fellow rookie Evelien Lutje Schipholt added eight points and three blocked shots while matching her season-high with 11 rebounds.

UCLA junior Michaela Onyenwere led all scorers with 21 points and scored six of UCLA's 11 points in overtime. Charisma Osborne (17 points) and Natalie Chou (12 points) also added double-digit scoring for UCLA.

Looking to bounce back from a Friday night loss to USC, Cal struggled from the floor in the opening stages of the game, shooing 27 percent (3-11) from the floor in the first quarter and committing seven turnovers. However, the Bears stayed aggressive and were rewarded at the foul line, scoring eight of their 14 first quarter points from the charity stripe. Cal finished the game with a 20-13 advantage in free throw attempts and shot 70 percent (14-20) from the stripe on the afternoon.

While the Golden Bears got off to a slow shooting start, the Bruins – who entered the game ranked last in the conference in three-point percentage - came out firing on all cylinders and shot 71 percent (5-7) from three-point range in the first quarter.  

However Cal found its shooting touch in the second quarter, going 7-18 from the floor and 2-3 from beyond the arc to keep pace with its rivals from the South. The Bears were also able to capitalize on the offensive glass, holding an 11-5 advantage in offensive rebounds in the first half and finishing the game with 19 second-chance points. The Bears closed the first half on a 10-4 run, and entered the locker room trailing 36-32. All 10 of Cal's points during the run were either scored or assisted by freshmen.

Cal continued its momentum in the second half and took its first lead of the game with 2:56 left in the third quarter when McIntosh finished a floater in the lane. The Bears finished the game shooting 38 percent (29-69) from the floor and outscored the Bruins in the paint, 36-32. The teams traded baskets until the Bruins closed the quarter on a 6-0 run to take a 52-47 lead into the fourth quarter.

UCLA remained in the drivers' seat for much of the fourth quarter and took a 59-51 lead with just over six minutes to play, before Cal went on a 12-4 run to close the game. Crocker, a freshman from Cypress, California, scored eight of her 12 points in the fourth quarter and overtime, including five points in the Bears' pivotal run. West tied the game at 63 when she drew a foul down low and hit two free throws with 1:30 left in regulation.

Neither team was able to execute in the final 90 seconds, sending Cal to overtime for the second time in the last three games.

The Bears began overtime on the front foot after a finish by McIntosh, but the Bruins reclaimed a three-point lead after a pair of free throws by Osborne with 1:57 left to play. Brown immediately countered with a three-pointer to tie the game at 70, but scores by Onyenwere and two free throws from UCLA redshirt senior Japreece Dean gave the visitors the win.

Cal heads to the Rocky Mountains next weekend, taking on Colorado (14-9, 3-9 Pac-12) on Friday at 6 p.m. PT in Boulder.

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