Grueling run ends for UCLA in WNIT Final Four, but it is upbeat for next season

In a season marked by adversity, UCLA’s disappointment grew to become alternative. Even because the season ended on Thursday within the WNIT Ultimate 4, the Bruins held optimism by way of the perseverance of a tough season.

The Bruins trailed with seconds left at South Dakota State and will power time beyond regulation, as they did in Wyoming lower than per week in the past in a three-overtime thriller.

The Bruins didn’t make that ultimate shot this time and misplaced 62-59 to finish their season.

“We used that [experience], in a number of timeouts,” Bruins coach Cori Shut mentioned. “‘We’ve been right here so many occasions, we’ll be positive.’ There was by no means that panic. … In steadiness and poise, there was no distinction this recreation than the sport in Wyoming or at Oregon State.”

Shut described the final two seasons as the toughest of her profession, and for her gamers, with COVID taking away 5 of their video games this season, and a number of other damage issues.

That adversity grew to become a consolation zone for the Bruins. Coping with three highway video games in a few of the hardest gyms within the league within the WNIT was simply one other problem they didn’t draw back from.

“We all the time say, lean into the onerous,” Shut mentioned. “That’s once you develop essentially the most.”

On Thursday, UCLA didn’t hit a 3 till the fourth quarter, when it made three in a row late. On the opposite finish, although, the Jackrabbits made 5 of their ultimate six pictures, together with the go-ahead rating from Haleigh Timmer with 38 seconds to go.

Ilmar’I Thomas, one in all eight graduating gamers, hit one in all two free throws with 27 seconds left, leaving the Bruins trailing by one. They completed 10 for 18 as a workforce from the stripe.

UCLA had a chance to tie the rating with seven seconds left. A Charisma Osborne three-pointer rattled throughout the rim and out as time expired.

The Jackrabbits, who held the very best three-point proportion of any workforce within the nation, had been held to one in all eight from three. The Bruins protection excelled all the postseason, holding opponents beneath 65 factors in 5 of their final seven video games.

UCLA snagged 13 steals and compelled 20 turnovers.

“It’s been our anchor all 12 months lengthy,” Shut mentioned. “Offense can come up and down, however we knew we needed to defend. We’re defending in opposition to the second-most offensively-efficient workforce within the nation, the most effective offensive rebounding groups within the nation.”

Shut cited offensive rebounds as a wrestle for the Bruins in opposition to a Jackrabbits squad that excels on the boards. South Dakota State gained that battle 16-12.

The Bruins and Jackrabbits had been each on the cusp of constructing the NCAA event, with UCLA one of many first 4 groups out. South Dakota State was one in all UCLA’s early season defeats in late November, and one which knocked them out of the highest 25.

Shut gave her gamers a option to compete within the WNIT after they didn’t have their identify referred to as on Choice Sunday. They unanimously determined to play and ended up on a grueling path that included three highway video games on the way in which to the Ultimate 4.

“It wasn’t the season all of us deliberate for,” mentioned Osborne, a junior. “Being an underclassman, we needed to increase the season for the seniors. We’re tremendous happy with all we’ve been by way of, to make it this far.”

Now that underclassmen have a postseason run beneath their belts, and they’ll begin anew and wholesome subsequent season, Shut thinks the long run continues to be vibrant for the Bruins.

The season didn’t go the way in which they needed, however the perseverance was its personal alternative for his or her subsequent chapter.

“Simply watch what we’re gonna do,” she mentioned.