Womens Hoops

Fully-stocked, versatile UCLA shows promise in 64-43 rout of UC Riverside

Fully-stocked, versatile UCLA shows promise in 64-43 rout of UC Riverside

Charisma drives the ball past the defense and into the paint. Caren Nicdao, UCLA Athletics photo.

Of course, Cori Close had her eyes on the adjustments that UCLA will have to make after their second game of the season, against UC Riverside Thursday.

The Bruins got off to a slow start, scoring just 10 points in the first quarter, before picking up the pace in the next two frames to go on to a 64-43 rout. And though it was a solid win, the coach who guided her team to a WNIT title, four Sweet 16 appearances and an Elite 8 berth since 2015 needs to see more.

“In the first half we didn’t respond very well to adversity,” Close said of the Highlanders’ defense. “We didn’t make the winning mental responses we needed to make to (counter) what was happening.”

But the fact that UCLA is playing with a full roster for the first time since 2019-2020, that they are healthy, and that they boast the No. 1 recruiting class in the U.S. has created a lot of excitement for the team, and points to a path towards recapturing their elite, top 25 status.

“Long term, our size and ability to affect plays on both sides of the floor because of that size is going to be a really good thing for us,” Close said.

Sophomore forward Emily Bessoir, who has returned after missing last season with an ACL tear, had her second strong outing, scoring 16 points, which included going 2-5 from three. Senior guard Charisma Osborne, who has shouldered the team workload since her sophomore year, when the Bruin roster was down to eight, scored 12 points and grabbed a career-high 13 rebounds.

All but one of the 11 who saw floor time scored, including freshman Gabriela Jaquez, who put up 9 points in her first career start. Two other members of the celebrated class – point guard Kiki Rice and forward Christeen Iwuala – had 5 points and 5 assists and 6 points and 3 rebounds, respectively.

Osborne, who sustained a knee injury late last season, joked that she hadn’t had as many teammates since she was a freshman herself. Close said having multiple weapons in the UCLA arsenal is good for everyone.

“Over the course of the year…..Charisma doesn’t feel like she has to get 18 every game,” Close said.

But Osborne has played more minutes than any Bruin, including the only other senior, Camryn Brown, and as she goes, so does the team. Fortunately for all, the way Osborne rolls is always very fast – and that included picking up the pace against Riverside.

“Our (winning effort) started…

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