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UCLA Women's Basketball: Bruins "Win Ugly" Over Washington

UCLA missed 31 of 39 shots in the first half.
Maren Angus-Coombs|
UCLA Women's Basketball: Bruins "Win Ugly" Over Washington
UCLA Women's Basketball: Bruins "Win Ugly" Over Washington

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The No. 2 UCLA Bruins (16-2) overcame poor shooting to down the visiting Washington Huskies 62-44 (12-6) on Friday night at Pauley Pavillion.

Less than an hour before tip, UCLA announced that 6-foot-7 center Lauren Betts would not be available, and head coach Cori Close decided to go with a smaller starting five than usual. Gabriel Jacquez got her fourth start of the year in her place.

Both teams struggled offensively from the tip, shooting 31 percent each. The Bruins were 23-for-75 and 22 percent (6-for-27) from behind the three-point line.

"Sometimes you just have to find a way to win ugly."

Per Cori Close via UCLA Athletics

After a rocky first half where the Bruins only scored 23 points, the third quarter looked like a different team. Charisma Osborne took control, the Bruins matched their first-half total and then ran away with the game down the stretch.

Osborne had a game-high 17 points, and Londynn Jones had 13. Angela Dugalic led all players with 13 rebounds.

The Bruins struggled to adjust to a Betts-less lineup in the first quarter. A couple of good plays like the one below kept them afloat.

Osborne knocked down a pair of threes in the second quarter including a buzzer-beater to send the Bruins into the half up 23-21.

The Bruins went on a 17-4 run, with Osborne scoring eight of her 17 points in the third quarter. Prepare to be amazed with this coast-to-coast play.

UCLA ended the game without a field goal in the last 2:54, but the win was in hand. 

Up next for the Bruins is at home against Washington State on Sunday at 1 p.m. 

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Maren Angus-Coombs
MAREN ANGUS-COOMBS

Maren Angus-Coombs was born in Los Angeles and raised in Nashville, Tenn. She is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University and has been a sports writer since 2008. Despite being raised in the South, her sports obsession has always been in Los Angeles. She is currently a staff writer for the LA Sports Report Network.