UCLA Loses Lead, Falls to Baylor, 89-77

For almost 30 minutes Thursday, UCLA looked as if it might run the Baylor Bears all the way back to Waco, Texas.

But it was the visiting Bears who had the finishing kick, zipping past the Bruins, 89-77, before 693 at Pauley Pavilion.

It was the third straight loss for the Bruins (4-4), who were looking for redemption after being routed by Baylor last year, 92-59.

The Bears, who had 22 points from forward Steffanie Blackmon, improved to 9-1.

Bruin freshman Nikki Blue led all scorers with 26.

UCLA used full-court pressure to force the visitors into some quick turnovers and ran out to a 25-12 lead. The Bears spent the rest of the first half cutting into the Bruins’ lead and had reduced the margin to 45-39 at halftime.

The Bruins still led, 67-63, at the 11:15 mark of the second half when Baylor took over, using a 17-2 run to leapfrog ahead, 80-69. UCLA never got closer than six points after that.

The Bruins had a scare when leading rebounder Julia Pitts went for a steal, landed awkwardly and crashed into the scorer’s table in the first half. Pitts was helped to the locker room and was initially diagnosed with a sprained left knee. She is scheduled to undergo an MRI examination today.

-- Mike Terry

USC 80, Southern Methodist -- Junior Rometra Craig made her season debut with 18 points and three three-pointers as the Trojans beat the Mustangs in a nonconference game in Dallas.

USC is 5-4, SMU is 4-3.