UCLA women’s basketball returns to the court against Oregon on Friday after postponing its Valentine’s Day matchup against Colorado due to injury concerns.
Ahead of Friday, the No. 8 Bruins feel ready to resume their schedule against No. 13 Oregon as a healthier team.
“Emily (Bessoir) got sick, nothing serious, and we couldn’t make the trip. Our medical staff got together after the game in Utah and just determined that it was too It was too risky and it was not wise for us,” said coach Cori Close during media availability Wednesday.
“But I do think we’re trending in the right direction and we’ve actually had as many players in practice the last two days than we have since maybe November.”
UCLA (12-3, 10-3 in Pac-12) has had a small roster size at times this season, but several standout players have kept the team mighty.
Charisma Osborne leads the team in scoring and is second in the Pac-12 with 18.9 points per game. Michaela Onyenwere is fourth in the conference at 17.4 ppg and second with 8.3 rebounds per game.
Lauryn Miller and Lindsey Corsaro have contributed to those numbers. Miller has logged 39 assists in 15 games and Corsaro has at least three assists in 12 games.
Close also noted that her team is consistent in the intangibles this season.
“They’ve had consistency in selflessness and putting the team first,” she said. “They’ve had consistency of being willing to be challenged and to grow every day. They’ve had consistency in bringing joy in the midst of a very difficult emotional season.”
As the Bruins go for a regular season sweep of Oregon (12-5, 9-5), they’ll keep an eye on Nyara Sabally, who has scored in double-digits in 12 games this season and has recorded three double-doubles. They’ll also have to get through senior forward Erin Boley (10.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg) and freshman guard Te-Hina Paopao (10.5 ppg, 4.4 apg) as UCLA continues toward its NCAA tournament goals.
“Ultimately, as basketball players or as athletes just in general, like, that’s what we play for,” said Onyenwere, “but as far as I think about time, you know, just taking it honestly one day at a time.”
UCLA (12-3, 10-3) vs. Oregon (12-5, 9-5)
When: 5 p.m. Friday
Where: Pauley Pavilion presented by Welcome
TV: Pac-12 Networks
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