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UConn vs. UCLA recap: Huskies storm back in 4th quarter to reach Elite Eight

By Russell Steinberg

ALBANY, NY - MARCH 29: Connecticut Huskies Forward Napheesa Collier (24) dribbles the ball against UCLA Bruins Forward Lajahna Drummer (11) defending during the first half of the game between the UCLA Bruins and the University of Connecticut Huskies on March 29, 2019, at the Times Union Center in Albany NY. (Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ALBANY, NY - MARCH 29: Connecticut Huskies Forward Napheesa Collier (24) dribbles the ball against UCLA Bruins Forward Lajahna Drummer (11) defending during the first half of the game between the UCLA Bruins and the University of Connecticut Huskies on March 29, 2019, at the Times Union Center in Albany NY. (Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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ALBANY — UConn fans, you can admit it. You were scared for a little bit. I don’t blame you, either. UCLA weathered an early UConn run, cranked up its defense, took a five-point second half lead, and for a while, it looked like this could be the end of the Collier/Samuelson administration in Storrs.

But when the fourth quarter started, something clicked. Napheesa Collier asserted herself, Crystal Dangerfield finally hit a couple shots, and UConn pulled away with a 69-61 win over UCLA to reach the Elite Eight for the 14th year in a row. Next up, it’ll be either Louisville or Oregon State. The Huskies already lost to the Cardinals this year at the Yum! Center, and if they face the Beavers, that would give Oregon State two wins over top-five teams this year. So Sunday will be tough.

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For now, here’s what we know:

Napheesa Collier can be one heck of a pro

OK, maybe we didn’t need this game to prove that, but we certainly saw it throughout the game and when the Huskies needed it most. First, it was the opening five minutes. Not only did she score 10 points before the first media timeout, but it looked like all her teammates had to do was find her and something good was bound to happen. Even against a big UCLA team, she did not struggle to get position or finish, and even stepped out when the Bruins decided to give her the shot. When the Huskies trailed in the second half, they looked to Collier again, and she didn’t disappoint. Her totals (25 points, 11-for-15 FG, 10 rebounds) are enough, but she has a guard’s command for the UConn offense while bullying opponents with the body of a post player. She’s smart enough, strong enough, and skilled enough to thrive in the WNBA.

UCLA’s defense almost won it for them

Give UCLA a ton of credit. This game changed in the second quarter when the Bruins stopped giving UConn any space to work with whatsoever. They started forcing turnovers and bad UConn shots, which seemed to spur their confidence on the other end. It was weird to see a UConn team go long stretches in the middle of the game with seemingly no answer. UCLA is not a team that’s going to force a bunch of live-ball turnovers leading to run-outs, but it does take pride in its defense and that has a visible impact. The Huskies committed 13 turnovers and Crystal Dangerfield spent most of the game frustrated offensively, going 6-for-15 from the field thanks to a few late buckets with just one assist through the first three quarters.

UConn needs to get Katie Lou Samuelson going

Husky fans should celebrate a hard-fought win, but Samuelson’s performance was worrisome. It wasn’t that she couldn’t score — though when you essentially play six players, that’s in issue. It’s that she seemed a step slow and just…off, all night. If UConn runs into a team that is better able to contain Collier, then Samuelson will have to shoulder more of the load. Freshman Christyn Williams and sophomore Megan Walker both had spurts where they looked great, but don’t seem ready to lead the team quite yet. UConn needs to get Samuelson a few open looks early on and let her cook. We’ve seen her do it before.

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