UCLA prevails against Washington State despite a slow start and only 7 players available.

UCLA Bruins #20 Charisma Osborne (G) going strong to the basket. Photo by Whitney Foster/T.G.Sportstv1.

1/16/22 WESTWOOD, CA - The UCLA Bruins had a huge obstacle to overcome, entered into the game against the Washington State Cougars with just a seven players rotation due to Covid-19 protocols, and won 71-58.

Washington State started the game out hot against UCLA with a 13-2 lead in the first quarter. The Bruins finally found their footing with a six-point run to end the first quarter trailing 13-8.

UCLA Charisma Osborne made a three-point shot that tied the game 13-13. Washington State regained the lead 16-13 after Tara Wallak returned fire, hitting a three-pointer.

Osborne began to catch on fire and made another three-pointer of her own to tie the game again 16-16.

Osborne took matters into her own hands, drawing a foul at the three-point line, and knocked down all three free throws with 4:25 left in the second quarter to give the Bruins a 19-18 lead.

UCLA Center IImar'i Thomas knocked down a three-pointer to extend the Bruins' lead to 22-18.

Determined to seize the moment, Osborne drove to the basket scoring a layup extending UCLA's lead to six points, 24-18.

Washington State forward Ula Motunga showed her physical stature, dominating in the post for a momentum-stopping layup. Jaelynn Penn made a mid-range jumper to extend UCLA's lead to 26- 22.

Osborne had a stellar first half with a layup that gave her 15 points. Washington State showed no signs of giving up as their guard Charlisse Leger-Walker scored a last-second layup with 1.9 seconds as the Bruins led at halftime 28-24.

UCLA started the third quarter with a sense of urgency defensively, with their first points of the half coming off a steal and layup from their forward Natalie Chou to take a 30-24 lead.

Washington state's leading scorer Charlisse Leger-Walker took charge by driving to the basket and scoring a layup to keep her team within range. UCLA led 32-27 after two free throws by Chou.

Washington State, momentum shifted when Ula Motuga knocked down consecutive three-pointers, giving them a 33-32 with 6:15 remaining in the third quarter.

Matuga continued to be aggressive, drawing a foul and making two free throws. Thomas made a jump shot that gave the lead back to UCLA, 36- 35.

Penn caught fire late in the third quarter, scoring three, three-point shots giving UCLA a narrow lead of 49 - 47.

The Bruins began to pull away in the fourth quarter thanks to 3 three-pointers shots by Osborne. Thomas and Chou extended their lead to 58-53.

Penn hits another three-pointer with 7:03 left in the game as UCLA begins to pull away, leading by eight points, 61-53. Leger-Walker made a three-pointer that made the score 67-56.

UCLA sealed the game defensively, causing a turnover with 2:48 remaining, and came away with a 71-58 victory.

Penn finished with 17 points, four rebounds, and one assist. Charlisse Leger-Walker put forth a valiant effort to lead Washington State in scoring with 24 points and nine rebounds. Osborne led all scorers with 25 points, four rebounds, and four assists.