UCLA women’s basketball faces conditioning test in Canada loss
Head coach Cori Close cites July timing and limited practice time as key factors in the defeat, despite strong individual performances from transfers and returning players.
The UCLA women’s basketball team suffered a defeat against the Canadian National team in an exhibition match held in Victoria, Canada, on Wednesday, 22 July 2026. The contest served as the first competitive outing for a roster that head coach Cori Close described as "essentially a completely new" group, which has only practiced together for three days.
While the loss highlighted significant conditioning deficits, Close framed the match as a necessary diagnostic tool for the squad ahead of the 2026-27 season. The team cited the timing of the game in July, well before the official college season begins and before players can make necessary fitness adjustments, as a primary factor in the deficit against the more conditioned Canadian side.
Sophomore forward Sienna Betts emerged as the standout performer for the Bruins, dominating the paint and handling starter minutes for the first time in her college career. A member of last season’s All-Big Ten Freshman team, Betts controlled the inside with her post and midrange skills, though she acknowledged the physical toll of the increased workload.
"It's just way more minutes than I'm used to," Betts said during post-game media availability. "Got to get in better shape, but it's only a couple weeks of practice. I think it's just the mentality, fighting through."
The performance also featured contributions from new additions to the roster. Senior transfer Donovyn Hunter, arriving from TCU, operated as an offensive force in the backcourt. Meanwhile, sophomore transfer Bonnie Deas, recruited from Arkansas by general manager Sam Skinner, impressed on the boards, validating Skinner’s initial recommendation based on Deas’ rebounding statistics in the SEC.
Close expressed optimism about the team's trajectory despite the result. "I am actually really excited about who this team is going to become," Close said. "We talked about today that this game was going to show us our floor. It was going to show nothing about who we're going to become later."
Post-match media availability included Close, Betts, and Hunter, who collectively addressed the media following the exhibition. The game provided early glimpses of the Bruins' potential while underscoring the work required to address fitness gaps before the competitive season commences.
