OSU at UCLA game thread.

This was an exciting game. I think it was mentioned recently, but the trip to UCLA has not been kind to us over the past few years, but tomight was our time. We led basically the whole game, but it was close most of the time, until the fourth. 10 T/Os against a pressuring UCLA team was really, really good to see. We had 16 against UW and 12 against WSU and neither of their pressure is relatively close to what UCLA puts on, so that was encouraging.

Taya had a really, really good game. She had 13 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 assists, but all of her points came inside the arc, something I had been critical of over the past few games. If we can get her scoring inside and out, she becomes so much more of a dynamic player. I think she didn’t progress as she had hoped (obviously hindered by the shoulder surgery), but she is making up for the lost time. At 6’3” with her abilities, she can be special. Next I’d like to see an improved quickness.

Mik, Destiny, and Aleah were really good too. Mik really got us going in the beginning and then Destiny picked up her scoring and man they are a tough duo. Oh, and when one of them need a break, we don’t lose a whole lot when Aleah comes in. 3 assists and 0 turnovers for her tonight. She also spent a lot of time at the 2, and we had 3 PG/CG high-IQ, skilled, scorers in the game.

Really nice contribution from Jo. 12 points (6-9) and 4 rebounds. UCLA is small, but uber athletic so those were good numbers from Jo.

Lastly, Rueck. He had a fun time pulling from his playbook tonight. Couple of play calls (tremendously executed) led to wide open buckets.

I’m excited for USC next. Excited to see what Destiny can do with them, because there pressure got to our ball handlers last year. Destiny is different in that aspect.

GO BEAVS

"lots of talk".  Sure I believe you.

She wouldn't have transferred and sat out a year if she wanted to get to the W ASAP.  

If you told me before the game that the Beavs would only make 4 3-pointers and win by 10 I would not have believed you. UCLA defended the 3-point line well so OSU took the ball inside more and it worked. Mic, Taya, and Destiny took it the rim and big Jo helped out too. Who says they will live by the 3 and die by the 3? At least not in this game.

SR continues to work his magic !!!!

It came up numerous times during broadcast that OSU hadn't won at Pauley since 2015. True enough. Brief highlights on that:

2015 - Beavs WIN: held UCLA to 47 pts and out rebounded them 51-31. A freshman named Lajahna Drummer made her PAC-12 debut for the Bruins.

2016 - LOSS: Syd hurt for Beavs. Katie started in her place. Marie, still very much the understudy to Hamblin didn't score in 14 minutes.

2017 - LOSS: Syd played all 40 minutes, but was cold from floor (2-12).

2018 - LOSS: Lopsided 84-49 score. Beavs were 2-12 from 3pt range. UCLA out rebounded Beavs 42-31. Marie 8-11 from floor.

USC is currently in a 4 game losing skid. Lost close contests to UCLA, Stanford & Cal before getting blown out by swoosh.

I expect them to come after us with every they’ve got to avoid going 0-5 in conference on their home court. Plus I don’t think they like our team after all the Kristen Simon drama last year in Gill. I’m not expecting anything less than a tough game. I think they’re better than their last game would indicate.