LOS ANGELES (AP) It wasn't as easy as their first four victories but No. 15 Nebraska rallied in the second haft to defeat UCLA 71-66 on Friday afternoon.
The Cornhuskers (5-0) entered Friday's game against the winless Bruins (0-4) having beaten each of its opponents by an average of 28 points.
Rachel Theriot scored 24 points and Emily Cady added 18 as Nebraska rallied from a 16-point first-half deficit to remain unbeaten.
''They came out with a lot of energy in the first half and their pressure got to us,'' said Theriot, who leads the Cornhuskers this season with an average of 17 points per game. ''We started to relax at the end of the first half and got into a better flow but it was a tough game.''
Cady made 6 of 7 shots and was a strong presence inside for the Cornhuskers.
''When we got down, nobody was hanging their head,'' Cady said. ''We got into a jam but this team has a lot of heart and we showed it today.''
Nebraska trailed the entire game until Theriot made two free throws to give the Cornhuskers a 56-55 lead with 4:39 remaining.
With the score tied at 56-56, Nebraska turned up the pressure and outscored the Bruins 15-10 down the stretch. Brandi Jeffrey's 3-pointer and Theriot's eight free throws highlighted the Cornhuskers' surge and secured the win.
''I shoot free throws all of the time and I didn't feel any pressure; it was kind of routine,'' said Theriot, who made 13 of 14 free throws in the game and dished out seven assists while playing all 40 minutes.
''We have a veteran team and they are mentally tough,'' said Nebraska coach Connie Yori. ''They got a little flustered in the first half but they were patient and relaxed and realized that they have been here before.''
UCLA started the game aggressively on both ends of the floor and built a 25-10 lead following a 15-2 run.
The Bruins also turned up the defensive pressure as they forced 22 Cornhuskers turnovers in the game.
UCLA extended its lead to 33-17 following a Corinne Costa basket with 4:04 left in the half.
However, Nebraska's defense tightened and held the Bruins scoreless for the remainder of the half and went on a 9-0 run.
Tear'a Laudermill drilled two 3-pointers to trim UCLA's lead to 33-26 at the break just before half.
''I've never told a 0-4 team that I'm proud of them but I did today,'' said UCLA coach Cori Close. ''We need to improve our second-chance opportunities but we have a really young team. I think we got a little tired and tight in the second half but we improved today and we're going to continue to improve.''
Jordin Canada led the Bruins with 14 points, six assists and six steals, and Kari Korver scored 11 of her 13 points in the second half. Nirra Fields scored 10 points and had 10 rebounds for UCLA.
The Bruins had a 39-36 advantage on the glass but committed 18 turnovers and shot 35.8 percent in the game.
Laudermill scored 15 points and Jeffrey added 11 points for the Cornhuskers.
TIP-INS
Nebraska: The Cornhuskers have won their first four games this season by an average of 28.3 points per game. ... Senior forwards Emily Cady and Hailie Sample have started 105 consecutive games. ... Former Cornhuskers standout Alexa Johnson Arnold (2000-04) attended the game.
UCLA: The Bruins led the all-time series against Nebraska 4-3, however the Cornhuskers have won the last three meetings.
UP NEXT
Nebraska hosts Northern Colorado on Sunday.
UCLA hosts Cincinnati on Tuesday.
