Angela Dugalich is a standout player in college basketball, notable for her willingness to contribute from the bench.
As he approached his final season at UCLA, the forward recognized the possibility of not starting. Rather than sulking, he communicated to his coach that he was okay with a backup position.
“She approached me and simply said, ‘I don’t care,'” said Bruins women’s coach Cori Close. “She was clear that starting wasn’t her priority. Her focus is purely on helping the team succeed.”
Dugalich’s versatility is clear.
Whether he’s backing down opponents, driving past them, or sinking three-pointers, Dugalich demonstrated his skills in a critical top-10 matchup at UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion.
On Sunday, Dugalich matched his career-high of 22 points, shooting an impressive 9-of-13, and recorded a career-high five steals, leading the Bruins to an 88-65 win over No. 8 Iowa. With this victory, UCLA improved to 21-1 overall and 11-0 in the Big Ten, making a strong case to finish the conference season without a loss.
Reflecting on his performance, Dugalich mentioned recent discussions about “Becoming a Lion” that fueled his strong showing.
“The target isn’t on our backs,” he stated. “We are the ones aiming at others now, going into arenas with the mindset to put on a show because fans want to watch us.”
In what was quite a notable game, Dugalich, a potential first-round WNBA pick, stepped up off the bench. With his points nearing a career high, Close pointed out his achievement to the team, though Dugalich remained unconcerned about that personal milestone.
“You have a first-round draft pick and still maintain, ‘I just want to help the team win,’” Close noted. “That should resonate with WNBA scouts watching.”
This game was another significant win for a team eyeing the top overall seed in the NCAA Tournament.
The result also sparked discussion about whether the top-ranked UConn or UCLA should be recognized as the leading team in the nation.
Iowa coach Jan Jensen, whose team faced both UConn and the Bruins this season, weighed in on the matter.
“Maybe UCLA has the edge because they’re applying pressure,” Jensen commented, “but I don’t know how you decide which team is tougher to handle. The size of their players, like the impressive 6-7 Betts, is something to note.”
The game shifted in favor of the Bruins when they scored eight consecutive points while Iowa sought a comeback early in the fourth quarter.
This scoring burst started with a three-pointer from Kiki Rice and gained momentum with a steal from Gabriela Jaquez. A subsequent fast break saw Rice assist Gianna Neepkens for a layup, while Kneepkens hit a three-pointer that pushed the score to 74-53, dousing Iowa’s hopes for a comeback.
Dugalich’s critical presence was especially needed with Betts limited to 21 minutes because of foul trouble. Charging off the bench, Dugalich received cheers as he returned to play with under three minutes left.
“Show me four more diverse people in this country,” Close said of Dugalich. “I mean, she’s just remarkable.”
Looking ahead, the Bruins’ upcoming game against Rutgers was intended to provide some ease, but they will soon face No. 9 Michigan State on February 8 and No. 13 Michigan State on February 11, which could be significant tests for their ambitions of an undefeated Big Ten record.
