The best deal in Los Angeles sports?

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The two teams that met in Pauley Pavilion this weekend owned 11 of the last 12 national championships.

It sounded like something out of the John Wooden era, but it didn’t look like it. He probably wouldn’t have approved of all the sequins (though he is a big fan of the sport).

Georgia edged UCLA by a score of 197.725 to 196.125 in a women’s gymnastics dual meet, with the Bulldogs (ahem, Gym Dogs) sweeping all of the individual events.

Odds are, you missed it. And odds are, you made a mistake.

There’s a lot of competition for our attention in Los Angeles. The entertainment capital of the world doesn’t export everything -- we keep a lot of it for ourselves. Sports fans are particularly lucky, though often conflicted. Should you spend $2,500 for a court-side seat at a Laker game? Or drive to Arizona and spend $100 for a couple hours watching guys who are going to get cut from the Dodgers?

Sure, Hollywood -- and Mannywood -- have their allure, but many people flee for greener pastures, smaller crowds and a higher quality of life. No need to move to Portland or somewhere in the Midwest. Try Westwood for a few hours. Tickets range from $6 to $12, and you’ll be rubbing elbows with Olympians. At least seven were in Pauley Pavilion this weekend, some medalists sitting inconspicuously in the stands.

Bruin head coach Valorie Kondos Field wasn’t shy about making her pitch. ‘On a Sunday afternoon, what better event to take your family to? It’s cheaper than a movie, it’s healthy, it’s good for young children. They’re great role models -- we always talk about the girls’ GPAs. I think it’s one of the greatest events L.A. offers.’

Want entertainment bang for your buck? Remember that most teams score points with a hoop or crossing a line. Gymnasts score points by impressing the judges. That means they have to impress you too.

Yes, Kobe Bryant is a tough guy because he can put up big numbers even when he’s injured. But so can Ariana Berlin (pictured), a UCLA senior who wasn’t sure if she could compete after injuring her knee on Thursday. Not only did she attempt every event, but she also scored a personal record 39.5 in the all-around. Then she went backstage, changed clothes and put on a post-meet performance with the World Famous Dance Crew.

Would Kobe come out after scoring 39, injured, and get down with the Jabberwockies? (Answer: No, but Shaq might during pre-game warm-ups.)

The Bruins were so committed on Sunday, they had their best performance on the floor routines -- a final event held after Georgia had already put the meet out of reach. Putting in the third string? Leave that for football.

UCLA gymnastics aren’t exactly a secret. Average event attendance ranks behind only football and men’s basketball among all the school’s sports. Sunday’s crowd of 4,709 would have compared favorably to a USC men’s basketball game. The Trojans, ranked in the top 20 earlier in the season, averaged 5,618 fans this year.

The Bruins will host Nebraska at 2 p.m. this Sunday in Westwood. If you’re a parent, it’s your last chance to bring your future Olympian to a meet this season.

‘Come out and see for yourself,’ said Kondos Field. ‘If you don’t believe me, you can write me rotten notes -- and I’ll read every one of them.’

Wouldn’t you like to hear Phil Jackson or Joe Torre make that kind of an offer?

-- Adam Rose

Top photo: UCLA gymnastics fans cheer for the Bruins at Pauley Pavilion. Credit: Don Liebig/UCLA Photography.