March 23, 2021 |
There was Cinderella slipper waiting for the Cowgirls in Austin, Texas. The Wyoming season came to an end last night against a bigger, stronger and faster UCLA team.
Keith Kelly had the final call from the Frank Erwin Center in Austin, Texas last night.
The 14th seed Cowgirls looked hesitant on the big stage from the start. The third-seed Bruins, making their fifth straight appearance at the tourney, ran out to double digit lead early in the first quarter and never let up. The UCLA offense lived up to its pre-game billing.
The Bruins only have seven scholarship players on the roster, but they are All-American.
The Bruins defense was the surprise, though, out muscling Wyoming on nearly possession. Wyoming Associate Head Coach Heather Ezelle said UCLA’s bigs were too much to contain.
The Wyoming defense found its footing in the fourth quarter. The Cowgirls held the Bruins scoreless for four-plus minutes to the start the final frame. UCLA hit another three-minute drought later. The damage was done, though, and the Cowgirls were in too deep to make a comeback. UCLA was led by Michaela Onyenwere with 25 points.
The Cowgirls closed out the season winning six of their last seven games and won their first ever Mountain West Tournament title.
