UCLA women just miss upset

The UCLA women’s basketball team squandered a 16-point lead with 6 1/2 minutes remaining Sunday afternoon and lost to visiting Maryland, 79-75, at Pauley Pavilion.

The Terrapins, ranked No. 3 in the nation in the latest Associated Press poll, outscored UCLA, 26-6, in the closing minutes to run their record to 8-0.

“Down the stretch, their experience showed in a big way,” UCLA Coach Kathy Olivier said of Maryland, which won an NCAA title two years ago with several members of its current team.

UCLA, trying to start 4-0 for the first time in 21 years, trailed by seven at the half but picked up the defensive pressure and began closing the deficit with easy baskets in transition. Doreena Campbell, one of three freshmen in the starting lineup and one of four who played down the stretch, made two three-point baskets in a 15-3 run. Tierra Henderson followed with two free throws to give the Bruins a 69-53 lead with 6:47 remaining.

Two-time All-American Crystal Langhorne, who did not start for Maryland because of an ankle injury, made an inside basket with 6:20 remaining to spark the comeback. The field goal was the first of seven in a row for Maryland, allowing the Terrapins to retake the lead, 72-71.

Henderson scored inside with 1:30 left to put the Bruins back up by one, but Maryland point guard Kristi Toliver made a three-point shot with just over a minute remaining, then made two free throws with 41 seconds left to give Maryland a 77-73 lead.

“That’s how we were two years ago,” Langhorne said of the Bruins. “They came out and didn’t care and played as hard as they could.”

--

dan.arritt@latimes.com