ALBANY, N.Y. – The upset-minded and sixth-seeded UCLA women's basketball team will look to give second-seeded UConn its first Sweet 16 exit since 2007 when the Bruins face the Huskies on Friday at the Times Union Center.
Tip-off in Albany is set for 7:05 p.m. (ET) on ESPN, as Adam Amin (play-by-play), Kara Lawson (analyst), Rebecca Lobo (analyst) and Holly Rowe (sideline) will have the call.
How to Follow
Friday's will air on ESPN, and fans can also listen online (play-by-play: Dave Marcus). Live updates will be provided on Twitter by following @UCLAwbb.
Matchup: No. 6 UCLA (22-12, 12-6 Pac-12) vs. No. 2 UConn (33-2, 16-0 AAC)
March 29, 2019 | 7:05 p.m. ET / 4:05 p.m. PT on ESPN | Albany, N.Y. (Times Union Center)
Series History
UConn leads the all-time series, 5-0. This marks the second meeting between the two teams in the NCAA Tournament. The Bruins were eliminated in the 2017 Sweet 16 by a final score of 86-71. Despite 15 points apiece from Jordin Canada and Monique Billings, UCLA fell to UConn at home last season, 78-60.
Onyenwere's 30
Led by a career-high 30 points from Michaela Onyenwere, UCLA upset third-seeded Maryland in College Park, 85-80. This was just the second 30-point NCAA Tournament game in program history for UCLA (Nikki Blue, 33 at Minnesota on March, 21, 2004).
Back 4 More
UCLA is making its fourth consecutive trip to the Sweet 16 under Cori Close, a school record streak. The Bruins reached the Elite Eight last season, tying for the best finish (Elite Eight, 1999) in program history.
UCLA IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT
UCLA's Last Time Out
Michaela Onyenwere scored a career-high 30 points to lead No. 20 UCLA to an 85-80 upset over No. 9 Maryland in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament on March 25.
With the game tied at 76 at the four-minute mark, UCLA held Maryland to just one field goal (1-for-7) to close the contest, and the Bruins, who went 20-for-21 from the free throw line and pulled down 27 offensive rebounds, notched the upset.
Japreece Dean added 22 points, while Kennedy Burke earned a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds.
600 & Counting
Michaela Onyenwere is having a breakout year and has scored 20 or more 17 times this season, including nine 25-plus point games. On March 23 vs. the Tennessee Lady Vols, she reached 600 points on the year, making her the fourth player (Denise Curry, Rehema Stephens, Jordin Canada) in program history to achieve the feat. In addition to 13 double-doubles, Onyenwere has scored in double figures in 22 straight games. She has scored 29 points three times and had a career-high 30 at Maryland on March 25. She made 20 3-pointers this season (only had one last year). In the First Round vs. Tennessee, Onyenwere pulled down a career-high 15 rebounds.
Trio Earns All-Pac-12 Recognition
Michaela Onyenwere, Kennedy Burke and Lindsey Corsaro were each recognized by the Pac-12 when the league unveiled all-conference awards on March 4. Onyenwere, who averaged 20.4 points and 8.3 rebounds in Pac-12 play, including 3.9 offensive boards per outing, was named to the All-Pac-12 team. Burke earned All-Defensive team honors and was named All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention, while Corsaro, a redshirt freshman out of Indianapolis, garnered All-Freshman team honors.
Working Hard Off the Court
The Bruin quartet of Chantel Horvat, Lindsey Corsaro, Lauryn Miller and Michaela Onyenwerewere each recognized on the Pac-12 All-Academic Honorable Mention team. To be eligible for selection to the academic team, a student-athlete must have a minimum 3.0 overall grade-point average and appear in at least 50 percent of their team's games (excluding injury).
She's Coming Back
On March 7, the UCLA women's basketball program announced that Japreece Dean would be granted one more year of eligibility. A native of Austin, Texas, Dean ranks third on the team in scoring with 14.1 points per game and leads the team in assists per outing (4.9). She also leads the Pac-12 and ranks fifth nationally in free throw percentage, shooting 92.9 percent.
Close Named Media Pac-12 Coach of the Year
It turns out losing two first-round WNBA draft picks doesn't mean the end of the world. However, it does take a good coach to keep things rolling. While Oregon's Kelly Graves was named Coach of the Year by the coaches, Cori Close was recognized by the media as the Pac-12 Coach of the Year, as she led the Bruins to a fourth-place finish at 12-6 overall. The Bruins won 11 of their last 13 games in the regular season and collected four road wins over ranked opponents, the most since 1980-81. Close coached a team that had entirely different roles from a year ago and got the team to evolve by late January. After starting the year 3-5, UCLA has gone 19-7, winning 13 of its last 16.
Reppin' the Pac-12 in the Polls
Ever since UCLA knocked off then-ranked No. 2 Oregon in Eugene on Feb. 22, the Bruins have earned a spot in the Associated Press (AP) Top 25 Poll. Since returning to the poll at No. 25, UCLA has risen to No. 20 overall. There are a total of five teams from the Pac-12 Conference ranked in the top 25. In the postseason USA TODAY poll, the Bruins rose to No. 24, its first ranking since week one on Nov. 12.
90-for-92
(See number above) – that's what Japreece Dean has done at the charity stripe in the last 28 games, and it's not a typo. The senior out of Austin, Texas, who holds the Bruins' school record for consecutive free throw makes (40 – just four shy of tying the Pac-12 record), has made 97.8 percent of her free throws since UCLA's Nov. 24 game against USF. This hot streak has been highlighted by a 12-for-12 effort vs. Fresno and 10-for-10 mark at Utah. She is on pace to top Anne Dean's single-season UCLA record of 91.9 percent (68-for-74) set in 1984-85.
The Race to 900
This season, Lajahna Drummer became the 10th player in program history with 800 career rebounds, and she currently sits 33 boards away from 900, which would make her the eighth Bruin to do so. With an 11-rebound performance at then-ranked No. 12 Oregon State, Drummer moved to No. 8 all-time for career rebounds, passing legend Ann Meyers (819; 1975-78).
Comeback Kids
UCLA's 22-point comeback against No. 2 Oregon was the largest under Cori Close and the biggest win for UCLA since the Bruins knocked off then-ranked No. 2 Stanford, 69-56, on Jan. 4, 2008. At the time, UCLA collected its eighth win over a top-10 AP team under Cori Close, but improved to 9-32 all-time with a win at No. 9 Maryland on March 25 in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament.
Road Warriors
UCLA earned five road wins over ranked opponents this season, the most in a single season since 1980-81, when the Bruins were awarded five wins (fifth thanks to a forfeit by South Carolina on Jan. 5, 1981). UCLA finished its road slate at 9-3 overall and 7-2 in Pac-12 play.
UCLA Team Snippets
Road warriors
* UCLA is 9-3 overall on the road this season and finished with a 7-2 mark on the road in Pac-12 play. This is the best road record since the 2012-13 season, when the Bruins finished 13-3.
* Five of UCLA's seven wins over ranked opponents this season came on the road (California, Arizona State, Utah, Oregon, Maryland), tying for the second-most road wins over ranked opponents in program history (1981).
Dominance on glass
* The Bruins lead the Pac-12 and rank third nationally in offensive rebounds per game (17.2).
* UCLA has outrebounded its opponent in all but seven games this season. The Bruins haul in 41.5 rebounds per game, good for second in the Pac-12 and 34th nationally.
* The Bruins are sixth in the Pac-12 and 37th nationally in rebound margin (6.1).
Tough on 'D'
* The Bruins are second in the Pac-12 in blocks per game (4.2).
* UCLA forces 15.4 turnovers per game, ranking fourth in the Pac-12.'
Keeping leads
* UCLA is 17-1 when tied or leading through three quarters of play.
* The Bruins are 16-1 when tied or leading at the half.
Extra opportunities
* The Bruins have made 479 free throws this season, ranking first in the Pac-12.
* UCLA ranks first in the Pac-12 in free throw attempts (654).
UCLA Player Snippets
Michaela Onyenwere
* One of 15 members of the All-Pac-12 women's basketball team; All-Academic Honorable Mention.
* Fourth player in program history to score at least 600 points in a single season (Denise Curry, Rehema Stephens, Jordin Canada).
* Second player in program history to score 30 points in an NCAA Tournament game (Nikki Blue, 2004).
* Ranks second in the Pac-12 and 18th nationally in offensive rebounds per game (4.0).
* Averaged 20.4 points and 8.3 rebounds in Pac-12 play. She was one of four players in the conference to average at least 20 points in Pac-12 action during the regular season.
* Has tallied 20 or more points in 10 of the last 15 games.
* Has scored in double figures in 22 straight games.
* Has 17 20-plus point games on the year, including nine 25-plus point games.
Kennedy Burke
* All-Pac-12 Defensive Team; All-12-Pac Honorable Mention.
* 22nd player in program history with 500 career field goals (574-for-1,261).
* One of four players in program history with 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 100 blocks.
* No. 18 on UCLA's all-time scoring list (1,499).
* Tied with Jordin Canada for No. 5 all-time in career games played (137).
* No. 8 all-time in career 3-pointers (104).
* Shoots 49.2 percent from the field, ranking sixth in the conference and 66th nationally.
Lajahna Drummer
* 10th player in program history with 800 career rebounds.
* Ranks fifth in the Pac-12 in rebounds per game with 8.7 per outing. She had a career-high 17 at Arizona on Jan. 27.
* Ranks 8th all-time in program history in career rebounds (867).
Japreece Dean
* Scored a career-high 28 points vs. California on Feb. 17.
* Saw her school-record free throw streak end at 40 in a row on Feb. 8 at Colorado, a streak that began on Nov. 24 vs. South Florida.
* Leads the Pac-12 in free throw percentage and is on pace to set UCLA's single season record, shooting 92.9 percent (104-for-112).
* Averaging 4.9 assists per game, ranking sixth in the Pac-12 and 50th nationally.
Lindsey Corsaro
* All-Pac-12 Freshman team; All-Academic Honorable Mention.
* Scored a career-high 18 points in the First Round vs. Tennessee, tying a career-high with four 3-pointers.
Up Next
If UCLA wins, it will play the winner of No. 1 Louisville / No. 3 Oregon State on Sunday at noon (ET).
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Tip-off in Albany is set for 7:05 p.m. (ET) on ESPN, as Adam Amin (play-by-play), Kara Lawson (analyst), Rebecca Lobo (analyst) and Holly Rowe (sideline) will have the call.
How to Follow
Friday's will air on ESPN, and fans can also listen online (play-by-play: Dave Marcus). Live updates will be provided on Twitter by following @UCLAwbb.
Matchup: No. 6 UCLA (22-12, 12-6 Pac-12) vs. No. 2 UConn (33-2, 16-0 AAC)
March 29, 2019 | 7:05 p.m. ET / 4:05 p.m. PT on ESPN | Albany, N.Y. (Times Union Center)
Series History
UConn leads the all-time series, 5-0. This marks the second meeting between the two teams in the NCAA Tournament. The Bruins were eliminated in the 2017 Sweet 16 by a final score of 86-71. Despite 15 points apiece from Jordin Canada and Monique Billings, UCLA fell to UConn at home last season, 78-60.
Onyenwere's 30
Led by a career-high 30 points from Michaela Onyenwere, UCLA upset third-seeded Maryland in College Park, 85-80. This was just the second 30-point NCAA Tournament game in program history for UCLA (Nikki Blue, 33 at Minnesota on March, 21, 2004).
Back 4 More
UCLA is making its fourth consecutive trip to the Sweet 16 under Cori Close, a school record streak. The Bruins reached the Elite Eight last season, tying for the best finish (Elite Eight, 1999) in program history.
UCLA IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT
- UCLA is 20-15 (.571) all-time in the NCAA Tournament.
- This is the Bruins' 16th NCAA Tournament appearance (23rd postseason appearance including AIAW tournaments).
- UCLA has won its last eight First Round games of the NCAA Tournament and its last four Second Round games.
- UCLA won its only national title in 1978 (AIAW) with a 90-74 win over Maryland at UCLA.
- The Bruins have reached the Sweet Sixteen each of the last four seasons.
- UCLA made it to the Elite Eight in 2018 for the first time since 1999, its second appearance all-time.
- In 2017, the Bruins made back-to-back appearances in the Sweet Sixteen for the first time in school history (selected to field of 16 of the AIAW Division I Tournament in 1978 and 1979).
- UCLA is 10-4 (.714) all-time in the NCAA Tournament under head coach Cori Close.
- This season marks Cori Close's fifth appearance in the Big Dance (2013, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019).
UCLA's Last Time Out
Michaela Onyenwere scored a career-high 30 points to lead No. 20 UCLA to an 85-80 upset over No. 9 Maryland in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament on March 25.
With the game tied at 76 at the four-minute mark, UCLA held Maryland to just one field goal (1-for-7) to close the contest, and the Bruins, who went 20-for-21 from the free throw line and pulled down 27 offensive rebounds, notched the upset.
Japreece Dean added 22 points, while Kennedy Burke earned a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds.
600 & Counting
Michaela Onyenwere is having a breakout year and has scored 20 or more 17 times this season, including nine 25-plus point games. On March 23 vs. the Tennessee Lady Vols, she reached 600 points on the year, making her the fourth player (Denise Curry, Rehema Stephens, Jordin Canada) in program history to achieve the feat. In addition to 13 double-doubles, Onyenwere has scored in double figures in 22 straight games. She has scored 29 points three times and had a career-high 30 at Maryland on March 25. She made 20 3-pointers this season (only had one last year). In the First Round vs. Tennessee, Onyenwere pulled down a career-high 15 rebounds.
Trio Earns All-Pac-12 Recognition
Michaela Onyenwere, Kennedy Burke and Lindsey Corsaro were each recognized by the Pac-12 when the league unveiled all-conference awards on March 4. Onyenwere, who averaged 20.4 points and 8.3 rebounds in Pac-12 play, including 3.9 offensive boards per outing, was named to the All-Pac-12 team. Burke earned All-Defensive team honors and was named All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention, while Corsaro, a redshirt freshman out of Indianapolis, garnered All-Freshman team honors.
Working Hard Off the Court
The Bruin quartet of Chantel Horvat, Lindsey Corsaro, Lauryn Miller and Michaela Onyenwerewere each recognized on the Pac-12 All-Academic Honorable Mention team. To be eligible for selection to the academic team, a student-athlete must have a minimum 3.0 overall grade-point average and appear in at least 50 percent of their team's games (excluding injury).
She's Coming Back
On March 7, the UCLA women's basketball program announced that Japreece Dean would be granted one more year of eligibility. A native of Austin, Texas, Dean ranks third on the team in scoring with 14.1 points per game and leads the team in assists per outing (4.9). She also leads the Pac-12 and ranks fifth nationally in free throw percentage, shooting 92.9 percent.
Close Named Media Pac-12 Coach of the Year
It turns out losing two first-round WNBA draft picks doesn't mean the end of the world. However, it does take a good coach to keep things rolling. While Oregon's Kelly Graves was named Coach of the Year by the coaches, Cori Close was recognized by the media as the Pac-12 Coach of the Year, as she led the Bruins to a fourth-place finish at 12-6 overall. The Bruins won 11 of their last 13 games in the regular season and collected four road wins over ranked opponents, the most since 1980-81. Close coached a team that had entirely different roles from a year ago and got the team to evolve by late January. After starting the year 3-5, UCLA has gone 19-7, winning 13 of its last 16.
Reppin' the Pac-12 in the Polls
Ever since UCLA knocked off then-ranked No. 2 Oregon in Eugene on Feb. 22, the Bruins have earned a spot in the Associated Press (AP) Top 25 Poll. Since returning to the poll at No. 25, UCLA has risen to No. 20 overall. There are a total of five teams from the Pac-12 Conference ranked in the top 25. In the postseason USA TODAY poll, the Bruins rose to No. 24, its first ranking since week one on Nov. 12.
90-for-92
(See number above) – that's what Japreece Dean has done at the charity stripe in the last 28 games, and it's not a typo. The senior out of Austin, Texas, who holds the Bruins' school record for consecutive free throw makes (40 – just four shy of tying the Pac-12 record), has made 97.8 percent of her free throws since UCLA's Nov. 24 game against USF. This hot streak has been highlighted by a 12-for-12 effort vs. Fresno and 10-for-10 mark at Utah. She is on pace to top Anne Dean's single-season UCLA record of 91.9 percent (68-for-74) set in 1984-85.
The Race to 900
This season, Lajahna Drummer became the 10th player in program history with 800 career rebounds, and she currently sits 33 boards away from 900, which would make her the eighth Bruin to do so. With an 11-rebound performance at then-ranked No. 12 Oregon State, Drummer moved to No. 8 all-time for career rebounds, passing legend Ann Meyers (819; 1975-78).
Comeback Kids
UCLA's 22-point comeback against No. 2 Oregon was the largest under Cori Close and the biggest win for UCLA since the Bruins knocked off then-ranked No. 2 Stanford, 69-56, on Jan. 4, 2008. At the time, UCLA collected its eighth win over a top-10 AP team under Cori Close, but improved to 9-32 all-time with a win at No. 9 Maryland on March 25 in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament.
Road Warriors
UCLA earned five road wins over ranked opponents this season, the most in a single season since 1980-81, when the Bruins were awarded five wins (fifth thanks to a forfeit by South Carolina on Jan. 5, 1981). UCLA finished its road slate at 9-3 overall and 7-2 in Pac-12 play.
UCLA Team Snippets
Road warriors
* UCLA is 9-3 overall on the road this season and finished with a 7-2 mark on the road in Pac-12 play. This is the best road record since the 2012-13 season, when the Bruins finished 13-3.
* Five of UCLA's seven wins over ranked opponents this season came on the road (California, Arizona State, Utah, Oregon, Maryland), tying for the second-most road wins over ranked opponents in program history (1981).
Dominance on glass
* The Bruins lead the Pac-12 and rank third nationally in offensive rebounds per game (17.2).
* UCLA has outrebounded its opponent in all but seven games this season. The Bruins haul in 41.5 rebounds per game, good for second in the Pac-12 and 34th nationally.
* The Bruins are sixth in the Pac-12 and 37th nationally in rebound margin (6.1).
Tough on 'D'
* The Bruins are second in the Pac-12 in blocks per game (4.2).
* UCLA forces 15.4 turnovers per game, ranking fourth in the Pac-12.'
Keeping leads
* UCLA is 17-1 when tied or leading through three quarters of play.
* The Bruins are 16-1 when tied or leading at the half.
Extra opportunities
* The Bruins have made 479 free throws this season, ranking first in the Pac-12.
* UCLA ranks first in the Pac-12 in free throw attempts (654).
UCLA Player Snippets
Michaela Onyenwere
* One of 15 members of the All-Pac-12 women's basketball team; All-Academic Honorable Mention.
* Fourth player in program history to score at least 600 points in a single season (Denise Curry, Rehema Stephens, Jordin Canada).
* Second player in program history to score 30 points in an NCAA Tournament game (Nikki Blue, 2004).
* Ranks second in the Pac-12 and 18th nationally in offensive rebounds per game (4.0).
* Averaged 20.4 points and 8.3 rebounds in Pac-12 play. She was one of four players in the conference to average at least 20 points in Pac-12 action during the regular season.
* Has tallied 20 or more points in 10 of the last 15 games.
* Has scored in double figures in 22 straight games.
* Has 17 20-plus point games on the year, including nine 25-plus point games.
Kennedy Burke
* All-Pac-12 Defensive Team; All-12-Pac Honorable Mention.
* 22nd player in program history with 500 career field goals (574-for-1,261).
* One of four players in program history with 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 100 blocks.
* No. 18 on UCLA's all-time scoring list (1,499).
* Tied with Jordin Canada for No. 5 all-time in career games played (137).
* No. 8 all-time in career 3-pointers (104).
* Shoots 49.2 percent from the field, ranking sixth in the conference and 66th nationally.
Lajahna Drummer
* 10th player in program history with 800 career rebounds.
* Ranks fifth in the Pac-12 in rebounds per game with 8.7 per outing. She had a career-high 17 at Arizona on Jan. 27.
* Ranks 8th all-time in program history in career rebounds (867).
Japreece Dean
* Scored a career-high 28 points vs. California on Feb. 17.
* Saw her school-record free throw streak end at 40 in a row on Feb. 8 at Colorado, a streak that began on Nov. 24 vs. South Florida.
* Leads the Pac-12 in free throw percentage and is on pace to set UCLA's single season record, shooting 92.9 percent (104-for-112).
* Averaging 4.9 assists per game, ranking sixth in the Pac-12 and 50th nationally.
Lindsey Corsaro
* All-Pac-12 Freshman team; All-Academic Honorable Mention.
* Scored a career-high 18 points in the First Round vs. Tennessee, tying a career-high with four 3-pointers.
Up Next
If UCLA wins, it will play the winner of No. 1 Louisville / No. 3 Oregon State on Sunday at noon (ET).
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