The UCLA women’s basketball team maintained the same competitiveness it has displayed at home all season, even if the Bruins’ home gym was an hour away from campus in Long Beach.
Forced out of Pauley Pavilion because of wildfires that continue to burn near Westwood, the No. 1 Bruins hosted Penn State at Walter Pyramid on Wednesday night. The venue change didn’t faze UCLA, which earned an 83-67 victory and set a program record with its 17-0 start to the season.
However, the eight days leading up to the game — marked by fires, postponements and venue changes — took a toll on coach Cori Close and the Bruins.