W. BASKETBALL Today, 7 p.m. v. Cal State
Fullerton Fullerton
Coming off a disappointing sixth-place finish in the Rainbow
Wahine Classic in Hawaii last weekend, the Bruins will look to
regain their momentum tonight against Cal State Fullerton
(2-5).
On the defensive side of the ball, the Bruins (3-4) have been
focusing on improving their on-ball pressure for tonight, in order
to create offensive opportunities.
“Going into Fullerton, it’s going to be a tough
game,” guard Tierra Henderson said. “If our defense is
on point, we’ll probably win the game.”
Coach Kathy Olivier stressed the fact that the Bruins rely on
being disruptive on defense but also need to take care of the
ball.
UCLA has lost the turnover margin in six of its seven games.
“I feel like we give up too many easy baskets,”
Olivier said. “Our help is there, but it’s not there
consistently. I think because we’re so young, that’s
why I don’t see as much consistency as what we’d
like.”
However, the Bruins have been consistent in one category: having
one individual step up to take control of games. Friday night it
was Chinyere Ibekwe, with 21 points and 11 rebounds. Saturday it
was Lindsey Pluimer, with a career-high 27 points, and Sunday it
was Noelle Quinn, with 16 points and nine assists.
The Bruins lost two of those three games, and Olivier is looking
for a more complete effort by the entire team instead of only
single players.
“We (have) got to stay focused for the whole game ““
not just a half, not just 30 minutes ““ and feel good about
how we competed for 40 minutes,” Olivier said. “When
you’re taking a mental break, you’re out. It’s a
matter of commitment.”
Olivier will look to pull starters sooner than usual and get
players off the bench earlier in the game.
“Because I don’t have a great sixth or seventh
(player off the bench), I’m maybe keeping (the starters) in
longer than I should,” Olivier said.
For sophomore guard Tierra Henderson, tonight’s game will
carry a more personal significance. Henderson played with Titan
guard Audrey Taylor on a summer-league team this past year and
knows her style of play.
“I kind of know her game … really well,” Henderson
said. “She likes to hit the 12-foot jumpers, so I want to try
to contain her and try to make her drive into the help. We’re
really good friends so I don’t want to say it’s a
rivalry. But when you get on the court they become your
enemies.”
Henderson has become a defensive leader for the Bruins, leading
the team with 24 steals.
“I look at my person and how much they average and then
think of a number (that) I could hold them to,” Henderson
said. “I don’t want them to get over their
average.”
For Fullerton, a win over the Bruins would be the highlight of
the season.
“People want to go after the Bruins,” Olivier said.
“Especially against Fullerton, because we can make their
season. This would be a huge game for them.”