LOS ANGELES - It can be any given Bruin on any given day to push No. 2 UCLA (21-1,11-0) to victory, as shown Sunday in the Bruins' 88-65 rout of No. 8 Iowa (18-4, 9-2) at Pauley Pavilion.

The biggest piece of that domination was graduate forward Angela Dugalic, who tied her career-high with 22 points and set a new career-high with five steals, all of it coming off the bench for the Bruins.

In her final season of eligibility, Dugalic has dropped out of the starting five in favor of a bench role, something she enthusiastically accepted from head coach Cori Close ahead of the season considering the stacked lineup that the Bruins have to work with. Even on a night where Dugalic had the game in her hands, she was still thinking about what's best for the team rather than for herself.

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John Panganiban-The Sporting Tribune

UCLA forward Angela Dugalic (32) shoots the ball during a Big 10 basketball game against Iowa, Sunday February 1st, 2026 in Los Angeles, California

Putting the team before herself

"Even tonight, I said Angela needs three more points to tie her career high... and she [Dugalic] goes, 'I don't care about that, just win" Close said. "I just think it says who she is."

Coming off the bench, Dugalic has been a major defensive asset for the Bruins, using her length to clog up passing lines and make things difficult for opposing offenses in the paint. Her five steals on Sunday were evidence of that.

That defensive prowess pairs with Dugalic's offensive versatility. While she can control the paint with her height and post up, she also has the capacity to shoot the occasional three ball, something she did three times against the Hawkeyes.

That variety of weapons she has means Close has a wealth of options in slotting Dugalic in anywhere on the court there's a need and as another lengthy forward, Dugalic can connect well with senior center Lauren to let the Bruins dominate in the paint. UCLA scored 56 points in the paint on Sunday for a reason, after all.

"I think she [Dugalic] benefits from how dominant Lauren is, so we're able to pick out some different matchups," Close said. "We posted her [Dugalic] up, she attacked off the bounce and then we were able to run plays for her to get three point shots. Show me a more versatile four in the country. She's just spectacular."

For love of the game

Dugalic elected to exercise her final year of availability and take on a role outside of the starting five because of the camaraderie she feels with the Bruins and the love she has for the game of basketball.

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John Panganiban-The Sporting Tribune

UCLA starting five walks onto the court during a Big 10 basketball game against Iowa, Sunday February 1st, 2026 in Los Angeles, California

Dugalic could easily be a WNBA selection in the upcoming draft, one of many Bruins that will likely have their names called, and pushed that off for one more season because this team and this sport still mean so much to her and with a NCAA championship within their grasp, there's one last chance for her to make some confetti-laden memories with her teammates.

'I'm just really proud and honored and blessed to be on this team. That's why I stayed a sixth year. It's fun to play basketball with these girls. I play this sport because I truly do love it. This isn't a job to me. It brings so much joy to me. Had it not, I wouldn't have continued it," Dugalic said.

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