Players Era results and analysis
Texas 76, UCLA 65
In a game expected to provide some answers in determining which team lines up behind UConn as the second best in the country, Texas stepped forward. Early on, the Longhorns looked headed for a runaway win after a dominant opening two quarters and 20-point lead at halftime. But UCLAmade a run in the fourth quarter that left the game in doubt into the final minute. Rori Harmon led a stifling first-half defense that held a UCLA team averaging 82.8 points per game to 25 -- then made big plays late that helped the Longhorns hang on. She finished with 26 points to go with five assists.
This was the first real test for Texas, which entered the game with an average margin of victory of 53.6 points. UCLA entered the matchup ranked third in the AP poll and as the No. 2 team in the latest Bracketology -- ahead of Texas in both instances -- and already has wins over Oklahoma and North Carolina on its résumé. Texas will certainly overtake the Bruins in both rankings following this win, which gives the Longhorns breathing room in their bid for a No. 1 seed.
UCLA will stay on the top line for now, but its margin for error isn't as great -- and Thursday's consolation game will determine whether the Bruins stay there.