Thursday, March 13, 1997
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The UCLA women’s basketball team has ended its season on a
strong note with an 85-63 victory over Washington State to close
out at 13-14 for the second consecutive season. The victory marked
the 51st in UCLA head coach Kathy Olivier’s career.
Olivier thought her team played well and commented that "doing
that is hard when you don’t have the post-season to play for." The
Bruins finished sixth in the conference, with the five teams ahead
in the standings getting NCAA tournament bids.
Filling in
The absence of sophomore Erica Gomez for the year forced Olivier
to throw junior Tawana Grimes into the point-guard spot for the
season.
As a small forward last year, Grimes accepted the role and
produced for UCLA. Grimes earned Honorable Mention All-Conference
Honors and finished fourth in the conference and first on the team
in assists, averaging 4.5.
She also finished second on the team and sixth in the conference
in steals with 2.5 per contest. Grimes’ 8.6 points per game placed
her at third on the team. Olivier will look for Grimes to either go
back to small forward next season or play shooting guard.
Growing up in a hurry
Freshman Maylana Martin earned Conference Freshman of the Year
honors and All-Pacific 10 honors. Martin finished at third all-time
on the conference freshman scoring list with an average of 17.9
points per game and her 484 points placed her at third on the
school’s freshman scoring list.
Taking different routes
Janae Hubbard and Carly Funicello, UCLA’s tandem that alternated
at the center position, both earned Honorable Mention All-Freshman
Honors. But they got there in different ways.
Hubbard was a reserve. She averaged 6.3 points and 5.1 rebounds
(third on the team) in only 12.5 minutes of play. The Bruins would
often ride Hubbard’s coat tails to a quick turnaround in a
game.
Funicello, on the other hand, started all 27 games. She finished
with 6.8 points (fifth on the team) and four rebounds per game.
Funicello, too, could change the complexion of a game  with a
blocked shot to stop the other team’s momentum or a big rebound.
The battle for the starting spot next season should prove
interesting.
Unsung heroes
Although freshman Melanie Pearson did not receive any conference
honors, she was a vital part of the Bruins’ effort. Sidelined for
seven games due to illness, Pearson did start the final 12 games
and managed to finish second in the conference in 3-point field
goal percentage at 41.9 percent and second on the team in scoring
at 10.8. ppg.
Takiyah Jackson, who redshirted last year, started 17 games this
year and then came off the bench in the last 10 and finished fourth
on the team in scoring with 7.4 ppg in 17.5 minutes.
The missing link
"A big confidence-booster will be the return of Erica Gomez,"
Olivier said.
Though Gomez cannot play in games until October 8, 1997, she
will be able to practice from now on.
"It will help us that Erica gets to work out and is able to get
to know the team. We’ll be ready for next season."
Compiled by Anthony Carter, Daily Bruin Contributor