WOMEN’S BASKETBALL : UCLA Gets 20-Point Lead, Then Loses to N.C. State

A 20-point lead was not enough for UCLA’s women Tuesday night. Falling apart after leading scorer and rebounder Natalie Williams got into foul trouble, the Bruins ended up losing for the fourth consecutive time, 90-88, to North Carolina State.

UCLA led at one point, 24-4.

Umeki Webb, a 5-foot-10 freshman guard, scored 35 points for the Wolfpack (5-2) before fouling out with 1:58 to play. Williams was high scorer for UCLA (3-4) with 20 points, but scored 12 after having been benched with her fourth foul.

The score was 15-2 five minutes into the game. The Bruins were ahead by 14 points when Williams picked up her third foul, and she sat out the half’s last 7:30.

Williams’ fourth foul came with 13:47 to play. North Carolina State went on a 21-6 run during her absence.

Jennifer Howard, 10 for 10 at the free-throw line, made four during the final minute for the Wolfpack.

A technical foul was assessed against UCLA in the first half for using a player, Maria Tarabochia, not listed on its submitted roster. The two resulting free throws turned out to be the game’s margin of difference.