OU Women's Basketball Falls In Home Opener To UCLA

Aaryn Ellenberg scored 24 points and Whitney Hand added 19 as Oklahoma lost its first home opener in 15 years to UCLA, 86-80, Wednesday.

Ellenberg was 6-for-6 on three-pointers to keep OU close in the first half, but UCLA managed to stall that option in the second half as they built as much as an 18 point lead with 12 minutes remaining. Hand tied the score at 39 just after halftime, but from that point, the Bruins went on a 27-9 run to make the score 66-48.

The Bruins dominated the glass, outrebounding the Sooners 56-34, including 24-8 on the offensive glass. UCLA converted those 24 offensive rebounds into 23 second-chance points.

The Sooners also struggled from the free-throw line, hitting just 19-31 from the charity stripe for the game.

Four Bruins scored in double figures, led by 18 from Thea Lemberger. Tulsa, Okla., native and Tennessee transfer Alyssia Brewer totaled 15 points and 16 rebounds in her second game with UCLA.

Sharane Campbell's layup made it 82-80 with just less than one minute remaining, but OU could not connect on three of its final four possessions as they fouled UCLA to preserve time.

The Sooners next host Saint Louis at the Lloyd Noble Center Sunday, Nov. 18, at 2 p.m.