One final inbounds heave by Markel Walker, and so ended the 2011-2012 season for UCLA women's basketball.
No. 12 Arizona pulled off the 61-57 upset over the fifth-seeded Bruins Wednesday at the Galen Center, using a second-half comeback to thwart UCLA in the first round of the Pac-12 Tournament.
The Bruins actually got off to a promising start, registering their first four points on baskets from Mariah Williams and Rhema Gardner while getting the stops on defense, but the dynamics were to change. UCLA committed all nine of its first-half turnovers within the final seven minutes of the first period, and the lead all but disappeared heading into halftime. The miscues were indeed the key components to this game, given that the Bruins had hopes of executing a controlled transition game. Instead, both teams combined for 41 turnovers on the day.
"The number one thing we talked about was that we could not afford to have live-ball turnovers, "UCLA head coach Cori Close said. "The emphasis during our film session leading up to today was how Arizona wants to turn the first three minutes of the game into a track meet. The bottom line is, you cannot turn the ball over against Arizona and try to control the game. We did a better job in the second half, but the momentum had really shifted by then."
The scoring pace picked up noticeably in the second period, and the Bruins seemed to distance themselves comfortably with an 8-2 run midway through, but Arizona's Davellyn Whyte, Candice Warthen, and Shanita Arnold caught fire. The trio made a habit of knocking down the three-ball at critical junctures to cut into UCLA's lead. Down the stretch, Warthen banked in a runner to give Arizona the 59-57 lead with 20 seconds left in the game, and and an empty possession for the Bruins on the ensuing play just about sealed the results.
Some parting thoughts: Looking at the revolving door that was the Bruins' roster, it was a season undeniably defined by trials and tribulations. To be sure, today's loss will be a tough one for the Bruins to take, considering the numerous opportunities that presented themselves. But what has also been clear is that through each win and each loss, this team was united. The most lasting example lies in the strong ties formed between Close, the first-year head coach, and Rebekah Gardner, the Bruins' lone senior.
"Rebekah was the first to buy in and commit to where we wanted to go as a program," Close said. "She will always have a special place in my heart for that. It has been such a joy to watch her grow, and she was a tremendous motivator for me throughout the year."
No. 12 Arizona pulled off the 61-57 upset over the fifth-seeded Bruins Wednesday at the Galen Center, using a second-half comeback to thwart UCLA in the first round of the Pac-12 Tournament.
The Bruins actually got off to a promising start, registering their first four points on baskets from Mariah Williams and Rhema Gardner while getting the stops on defense, but the dynamics were to change. UCLA committed all nine of its first-half turnovers within the final seven minutes of the first period, and the lead all but disappeared heading into halftime. The miscues were indeed the key components to this game, given that the Bruins had hopes of executing a controlled transition game. Instead, both teams combined for 41 turnovers on the day.
"The number one thing we talked about was that we could not afford to have live-ball turnovers, "UCLA head coach Cori Close said. "The emphasis during our film session leading up to today was how Arizona wants to turn the first three minutes of the game into a track meet. The bottom line is, you cannot turn the ball over against Arizona and try to control the game. We did a better job in the second half, but the momentum had really shifted by then."
The scoring pace picked up noticeably in the second period, and the Bruins seemed to distance themselves comfortably with an 8-2 run midway through, but Arizona's Davellyn Whyte, Candice Warthen, and Shanita Arnold caught fire. The trio made a habit of knocking down the three-ball at critical junctures to cut into UCLA's lead. Down the stretch, Warthen banked in a runner to give Arizona the 59-57 lead with 20 seconds left in the game, and and an empty possession for the Bruins on the ensuing play just about sealed the results.
Some parting thoughts: Looking at the revolving door that was the Bruins' roster, it was a season undeniably defined by trials and tribulations. To be sure, today's loss will be a tough one for the Bruins to take, considering the numerous opportunities that presented themselves. But what has also been clear is that through each win and each loss, this team was united. The most lasting example lies in the strong ties formed between Close, the first-year head coach, and Rebekah Gardner, the Bruins' lone senior.
"Rebekah was the first to buy in and commit to where we wanted to go as a program," Close said. "She will always have a special place in my heart for that. It has been such a joy to watch her grow, and she was a tremendous motivator for me throughout the year."
