For the first time this season, the UCLA women’s
basketball team put together two consecutive wins with its 78-58
victory over Washington State on Friday. It felt so good that the
Bruins decided to keep it going, beating Washington 65-60 Sunday
for their third straight victory.
And it’s certainly no mystery that UCLA’s newfound
streak can be attributed in part to the fiery play of sophomore
guard Lisa Willis, who led the Bruins in scoring against both the
Cougars and the Huskies.
“You have to bring it every night,” Willis said.
“But the thing about this team is that it can be
anybody’s night. Any of us can get off, and that’s why
it’s hard for teams to defend us.”
Willis finished with a game- and career-high 22 points on 8-13
shooting, 4-8 from beyond the arc, four rebounds and four steals
against Washington State.
“My shot felt really good,” said Willis. “When
I missed, I was shocked, because that’s how hot I
was.”
Against Washington, Willis tallied a game-high 19 points,
including 6-8 from the free throw line, six rebounds and three
assists.
Willis attributes much of her success to the play of her
teammates.
“I just like to take what is given to me,” she said.
“My teammates did a great job of driving and kicking it to
me, and that’s what opened it up for me.”
Willis, who was known primarily as a scorer last year, has
improved on many other facets of her game.
“The reason why I play is to bring something that others
can’t bring,” she said. “Last year I was a
shooter who played defense, and now I like to think of myself as a
defensive player, a rebounder, a shooter and a
penetrator.”
With the Pac-10 schedule nearly half over, coach Kathy Olivier
recognizes the key role Willis plays.
“She knows we’re counting on her, and she plays that
role with confidence,” Olivier said. “I tell her that
we’re expecting her to bring everything because that’s
how talented she is.”