It may seem difficult to imagine, observing the clean stroke and true form that provides Gabriela Jaques such a confident success from behind the three-point arc.
But there was a time when Jaques' long-range shooting was the part of her game that gave her UCLA Women's basketball coach Corey Close is hesitant to offer a scholarship.
Eager to prove herself, Jaquez worked tirelessly at the park during the pandemic, standing up one day after another. She joined a club team based in Auckland and flew north twice a month for weekend training.
It's good that she dealt with it.
Jaquez received this scholarship and fully thrived in her senior season, her all-around talent allowing the Bruins No. victory with a score of 99-77 over No. 14 Tennessee on Sunday afternoon in front of a small but energetic crowd at Pauley Pavilion.
Jaques scored 19 of her 29 points in the first half, leading her team to a 10-point lead that grew to 23 points in the second half. Showing that she continues to be a knockdown shooter, Jaquez made 10 of 14 shots, including five of six 3-pointers, and is now shooting a career-high 48.6 percent from beyond the arc this season. This is up from 34.8% as a junior and 24.4% as a sophomore.
In addition to all the work she has done with coaches and instructors, Jaques said changes that took place over the summer have led to her recent success.
“Something just clicked in my head, like where I want my shooting pocket to be and how I want it to feel,” Jaquez said, “and I think that’s what makes the difference.”
Her 3-pointer from the corner late in the third quarter gave UCLA (8-1) a 71-53 lead and drew a roar after Jaquez maintained her form during her follow-up as the Volunteers (5-2) called a timeout in a futile attempt to stop the Bruins' surge.
Tennessee briefly pulled within 10 points early in the fourth quarter before UCLA pulled away the next eight points, with Jaquez contributing by missing a Euro step in transition. She left 2.5 minutes before the ovation.
“She's such an underrated player and she just gets things done. She's always on the move,” Tennessee coach Kim Caldwell said. “You can't guard her and be distracted for one second or she'll take advantage.”
Even surrounded by so much talent, Jaquez could make a strong case for being UCLA's best player this season. She does much more than just score, fight for tough rebounds, make selfless passes and calm her teammates with her presence.
“She just finds a way to contribute and get wins,” Close said. “And the first year it looked like breaking through quickly, playing a lot of foursomes and doing the dirty work, and then every year we saw her add to her toolbox.”
Jaques was a big help, helping the Bruins post a resounding victory that prompted Caldwell to call UCLA “Final Four ready.” Point guard Kiki Rice had 20 points and 11 rebounds, shooting guard Gianna Knipkens scored 19 points and point guard Charlisse Leger-Walker added seven points and 11 assists. Adding energy from the bench, forward Angela Dugalich made six of seven shots en route to 14 points.
It didn't take long for Bruins center Lauren Betts to wear a white sleeve over her injured left arm and return from a one-game absence. On the first possession, Betts received a pass, took one dribble and turned to hook for the first basket.
Betts finished the game with seven points, four rebounds and two blocked shots.
Tennessee was led by forward Janiya Barker, a transfer from UCLA, who was in control with a flurry of first-half baskets on the same day she received her Final Four ring and a letter of commendation from Close. Barker, however, did not treat Close as warmly and refused to shake her hand during the postgame handshake. But Barker couldn't maintain her early pace and finished with 25 points for the Volunteers, who shot 40.8 percent to the Bruins' 58.5 percent. UCLA also made 10 of 17 3-pointers (58.8%).
