LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Sacramento State trailed UCLA by just two points with nine minutes to play and was still within four points in the final two minutes but wasn't able to draw even or pull ahead as the Bruins escaped with a 92-83 win on Friday night in Pauley Pavilion.

UCLA (3-4) jumped to a huge 15-2 lead just two minutes and 35 seconds into the game, but for the remaining 36 and a half minutes of the contest Sacramento State (1-7) outscored the Bruins by four points, 81-77. The Hornets had three possessions in the second half in which they could have tied or gone ahead with a basket but UCLA was able to dodge several bullets.

A layup from senior Takara Burse brought the Hornets within four points, 84-80, with 2:15 left in the game. On the ensuing possession UCLA guard Kari Korver was fouled on a 3-point attempt and made all three free throws, then after a defensive stop the Bruins made two more free throws. Another missed shot by the Hornets and a layup on the other end put the game out of reach in the final minute.

"We had opportunities and weren't able to capitalize on them, and when you play Pac-12 teams on the road you have to make plays," Sacramento State head coach Bunky Harkleroad said. "It's another example of the game teaching us very valuable and important lessons and we have to learn and grow from them. With the opportunity to play in Pauley Pavilion and have a shot at winning and compete we're proud of our effort. We just need to get over the hump."

In its third consecutive road game against a Pac-12 opponent that was nationally ranked in the preseason, the Hornets were able to stay close with 15 made 3-pointers, 19 forced turnovers, and an exceptional effort on the glass. Sacramento State equaled UCLA - who played eight players that are six-foot or taller - with 46 rebounds apiece, with the Hornets grabbing 21 offensive rebounds and outscoring the Bruins 19-9 in second chance points.

The Hornets attempted 20 more shots than the Bruins and shot a sold 15-of-46 from 3-point range. Sacramento State held UCLA to 43.8% shooting in the second half and 49.2% shooting for the game, its best defensive effort during its run through the Pac-12, but a 22-of-28 mark from the free throw line enabled the home team to pull out the win.

After the huge UCLA lead to start the game the Hornets were able to prevent the score from getting out of hand, but the Bruins built their lead to 15 points at 37-22 with seven minutes left in the first half. Fatigue began to set in late in the half and the Hornets capitalized, cutting the lead in half and trailing by just seven at the intermission after a buzzer-beater by senior Fantasia Hilliard.

The Hornets also scored the first four points of the second half to trail by just three. UCLA was able to maintain an advantage but never led again by more than 12. Trailing 67-58 with 12:18 to play, sophomore Hallie Gennett knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers and sophomore Gretchen Harrigan made a free throw to get the Hornets within two, 67-65, with 10 minutes to play.

Sacramento State trailed by two again moments later at 69-67 and had possessions to tie or take the lead on both occasions but could not convert. After UCLA went back ahead by as many as 11 points the Hornets continued to fight but could get no closer than a four-point deficit through the end of the game.

Gennett led the Hornets in scoring for the third consecutive game, tallying 20 points along with three steals and equaling her career high with seven rebounds. Hilliard had 11 points and six assists, scoring all 11 points in the second half, and junior Adella Randle-El finished with 10 points.

Korver scored a career-high 22 points with 10 made free throws to lead five Bruins in double figures. Sophomore Nirra Fields had a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds and Monique Billings had 10 rebounds and 10 boards off the bench. UCLA shot 6-of-11 (54.5%) from 3-point range and totaled seven blocked shots in the game.

Sacramento State concludes its challenging run through the Pac-12 at 2 p.m. Sunday at USC.