SACRAMENTO
After a frustrating first half that included a missed layup, Angela Dugalich understood what she needed to do.
“I thought, ‘Let me go rebound,'” the forward from UCLA shared while seated at her locker. “We knew everything else would fall into place.”
And it did.
The Bruins were unstoppable during the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament, with Dugaric securing a game-high 10 rebounds and helping her team dominate in the paint, despite some missed scoring opportunities.
In a demonstration of her ability to make a difference off the bench, Dugaric achieved a double-double during UCLA’s 80-56 win over Minnesota at Golden 1 Center.
Whether you call her a tall guard or a forward doesn’t change the fact that her skills are exceptionally versatile.
“She makes a tremendous impact when she comes off the bench,” said UCLA center Lauren Betts, who added 16 points herself. “It’s tough to defend her because she can play in so many positions. She’s really controlled the game inside this season. I’m so proud of her and the effort she puts in.”
Dugaric and Betts were pivotal in helping the Bruins dominate points in the paint, 52-22. Stopping Betts is challenging enough, but adding Dugaric creates a defensive nightmare.
“If they try to shut me down,” Betts explained, “Ann usually has an advantage somewhere else. We aim to keep getting her involved.”
Dugalich’s story is one of putting the team first, reflecting her squad’s commitment to chasing the championship.
Having started 34 out of 35 games last season, Dugaric chose to come off the bench for her final year of college basketball.
“I knew that sometimes the rotation changes and it might affect people differently,” Dugaric remarked. “It could cause anxiety, but if I can relieve that for myself and my teammates, that’s a simple solution. I’ll always do what’s best for us.”
Coach Cori Close has tailored Dugaric’s role based on the competition. Against smaller teams, she might dominate down low, while she’ll adjust to set screens against taller opponents.
“We have complete trust in her this year because she can adapt to whatever role we need her to play, and she does it consistently well,” said point guard Kiki Rice. “Every time she’s in the game, she makes a mark—whether it’s scoring, hitting three-pointers, or rebounding. Today, she really helped us control the boards.”
“She’s definitely one of our key players, and she alters the game.”
To succeed on Friday, the Bruins knew they had to stay aggressive offensively despite some early mistakes. Dugaric made six of her last eight shots, demonstrating her reliability as the team prepares to face No. 3 seed Duke in the Elite 8 on Sunday.
“We can always rely on her to make smart choices. She’s really invaluable to us,” Rice added. “We appreciate her commitment to the team and her selflessness in this role.”
