Washington Huskies at UCLA Bruins

Canada helps No. 18 UCLA women top No. 9 Washington 90-79

The junior guard scored 22 points to lead UCLA to a 90-79 upset victory over No. 9 Washington.

The Bruins (19-7, 10-5 Pac-12) weren't sure if Canada would play since she left the previous game with a neck injury. She ended up helping UCLA win its 26th consecutive home game, dating to last season.

"In the beginning (of the week), maybe it was 50-50," Canada said of her chances of playing. "Monday and Tuesday were really rough. Wednesday, I continued to get rehab and treatment. Thursday was a little better. My neck started loosening up."

Washington coach Mike Neighbors came into the game not knowing if his team would face Canada, who was hurt against Oregon.

"You know if she's not playing, someone is telling her she can't play," he said. "She's so tough. When I saw her dressed out, I said she would play. ... I thought they were very efficient without her, but then she took it to another level when she came in. She was in total command.

"She played 32 minutes, whether we heard her name in the starting lineup or not."

Monique Billings added 19 points and Nicole Kornet 15 for the Bruins.

Washington's Kelsey Plum, the nation's leading scorer, scored 39 points in the loss. Chantel Osahor had a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds.

Washington (24-4, 12-3) should've felt a bit at home as Los Angeles endured an all-day rainstorm on Friday, similar to weather the Huskies often face in Seattle, but Washington's four-game win streak came to an end.

UCLA coach Cori Close said the Bruins had a team meeting after its loss to Oregon, which was the third defeat in its four-game road swing. They had many difficult 1-on-1 meetings after that, too. But Friday's win solved much.

"Any time you beat someone you really respect, you earn more confidence," Close said. "We really improved since the last time we played Washington."

BIG PICTURE

Washington: didn't have control at any point in this game and found that Pauley Pavilion is indeed a tough place to win on the road, but it's just one small hiccup in a stellar season.

UCLA: played well and put its unproductive four-game road trip, in which it lost three games, in the rear-view mirror with a good offense and doing just enough on the defensive end.

THINK PINK

Both teams did an honor walk before the pink "Play4Kay" game honoring the Late Kay Yow and benefiting the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. Each player and coach walked around Nell & John Wooden Court holding a sign that said: "I play for ..."

POLL IMPLICATIONS

Washington shouldn't fall out of the Top 10 with the loss unless it were to lose both games of the Los Angeles trip.

UCLA, which had been ranked in the top 10 earlier this season, could move up after the impressive victory.

QUOTE OF THE GAME

STAT OF THE GAME

21: That's the number of assists UCLA had as it worked the ball around well. The Bruins shot 46 percent from the field. Kari Korver led the way with a career-high nine assists.

UP NEXT

Washington: stays in Los Angeles, where it will play USC on Sunday. The Huskies already beat the Trojans 77-67 in January.

UCLA: hosts Washington State on Sunday, and the Bruins will seek to avenge a difficult January weekend in Washington where they lost at Washington State (82-73) and Washington.

How can I watch Huskies vs. Bruins?

• TV Channel: Huskies vs Bruins 2021 College Basketball, week 15, is broadcasted on PACN.
• Online streaming: Sign up for Fubo.

Location: Los Angeles, CA
Attendance: 1,699 | Capacity: