No. 2 UCLA women, tried and tested, welcome No. 8 Iowa

LOS ANGELES — The UCLA women’s basketball team has handled its Big Ten schedule with ease – to the tune of a 22.9 average win margin. But on Wednesday, the Bruins found themselves in a battle with Illinois.

The lead dwindled to seven in the fourth quarter, but UCLA ultimately rebuilt the cushion, earning an 80-67 victory. Within that tight-knit final frame, the No. 2 Bruins gained valuable lessons that could translate to the next matchup when they host No. 8 Iowa on Sunday.

“There...