ALBANY, N.Y. —
The stage was set for UCLA’s big March breakthrough.
There was a late lead against the defending national champions. Shots were finally falling for the Bruins.
Then came a familiar feeling this time of year — crushing disappointment.
In their latest setback at this stage of the NCAA women’s basketball tournament, the second-seeded Bruins faltered in the final minutes of a 78-69 loss to third-seeded Louisiana State on Saturday in a semifinal of the Albany 2 Regional at MVP Arena.
After holding a three-point lead when Gabriela Jaquez got the bounce on a floating jumper with 2:46 left, the Bruins were outscored, outfought and outclassed the rest of the way.