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UCLA back to the Final Four: Bruins overcome double-digit deficit
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- UCLA back to the Final Four: Bruins overcome double-digit deficit
It was a bit scarier than anticipated but the UCLA Bruins are back in the Final Four. The No. 3 seed Duke Blue Devils gave No. 1 seed UCLA all they could on Sunday in the Elite Eight but the Bruins prevailed 70-58 to head back to the Final Four.
UCLA overcame a slow start with a strong second half showing
Both of UCLA's games in Sacramento have gone similarly. Against both Minnesota in the Sweet 16 and Duke in the Elite Eight, the Bruins have played uneven first halves before coming alive after halftime.
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The Bruin defense sunk their teeth in after halftime
In both games the UCLA defense have tightend things up after halftime. UCLA allowed just 27 points after halftime versus Minnesota and the Bruins gave up only 19 points to the Blue Devils in the second half on Sunday.
The winningest team in program history
The win over Duke sets a new program single-season win record , with UCLA moving to 35-1 with the win. Sunday's performance was a record-setting performance even if it was a shaky performance for the mighty Bruins. UCLA's back in the Final Four for the second time in program history, with both of the appearances coming in the past two years.
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UCLA needs a less predictable offense
To say that the UCLA offense was stagnant in the first half would be an understatement. The Bruins racked up turnover after turnover forcing entry passes down to Lauren Betts in the post. A Betts post up is always a good idea for UCLA's offense but the team looked hesitant to do anything besides that, and the Duke defense noticed.
Angela Dugalic has been a star for UCLA
The rest of the Bruins got more aggressive after halftime but once again it was Angela Dugalic off the bench being the second-most impactful Bruin behind Betts. Betts scored 23 points on 9-14 from the field, adding five blocks and 10 rebounds. Dugalic was second on the team with 15 points, continuing her outstanding NCAA tournament.
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Rematch versus the Longhorns?
UCLA will face the winner of Texas/Kentucky on Friday in Phoenix with a chance to get to the program's first-ever NCAA championship game. It's worth noting that Texas is the only team to defeat UCLA this season.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: Lauren Betts and Angela Dugalic carry UCLA back to the Final Four
