Key Player Obvious To Push UCLA to New Heights

The Bruins are in the final four once again, and the player with the potential to push them farther will be this player.

Mar 23, 2026; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins forward Angela Dugalic (32) reacts after a three point basket by UCLA Bruins guard Lena Bilic (9) in the first half against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

The Bruins have been on fire this season, only losing once and making a push to the Final Four once again under the leadership of Cori Close and Lauren Betts.

However, even though their impact cannot be understated, another name has been rising as the player who can push the Bruins to a championship appearance, and possibly a championship title.

Mar 26, 2026; Sacramento, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins forward Angela Dugalic (32) celebrates with teammates during practice ahead of the Sacramento Regional 2 of the women’s 2026 NCAA tournament at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images | Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images

That player is Angela Dugalic, who was the reason that UCLA could even advance to the Final Four, and she will be the one that UCLA can rely on aside from Betts to push them further.

What Dugalic Was Able To Do Against Duke

Mar 23, 2026; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys forward Praise Egharevba (24) and UCLA Bruins forward Angela Dugalic (32) box out for a rebound in the first half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

• Despite being one of the many on her team to not be able to hit three-point shots on the night, Dugalic was able to put up 15 total points on the night with only one free throw attempt.

• The Bruins only won by 12 points, so without her efforts, the team would have been in a dire situation, as it took them a long time to start attacking the paint aside from letting Dugalic do her thing.

Mar 21, 2026; Los Angeles, CA, USA; California Baptist Lancers center Emma Johansson (14) gets past UCLA Bruins forward Angela Dugalic (32) in the second half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

• Furthermore, she had six rebounds and four assists off the bench, some of those numbers being higher than most of her teammates, even Betts in the case of assists.

• Her impact, both direct and indirect, led to more than 20 points in an offensively stagnant night against the Blue Devils, and, going into the team's rematch against the Texas Longhorns, she will be the key factor that decides the game.

Dugalic's Impact Going Into Texas Rematch

Mar 23, 2026; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins forward Angela Dugalic (32) defends a shot by Oklahoma State Cowboys forward Achol Akot (11) in the second half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

• In the only loss of the season for the Bruins against the Longhorns, Dugalic had one of the worst nights of the year, only scoring six points with more than 30 minutes on the court.

• UCLA lost by 11, and while it was certainly a team effort that lost the game for the Bruins, Dugalic had four missed shots, two from behind the arc, that could have given UCLA a chance to win.

Mar 21, 2026; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins forward Angela Dugalic (32) reached in front of California Baptist Lancers forward Paula Haw (21) and guard Filipa Barros (5) for a rebound in the second half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

• In their rematch, Dugalic will be the player who can push UCLA's offense to be the best that it can be, but she also could be the player who makes it stagnant and causes UCLA to miss the championship.

Overall, Angela Dugalic was instrumental in a victory over Duke, and she will be key once again when it comes time to play Texas, in which she has the fate of UCLA in her hands.