Dec. 28, 2004.
That is the last time the UCLA women’s basketball team has felled the Trojans of USC.
The past three years have seen hope conquered by heartbreak for the Bruins, who look to end a five-game losing streak at the hands of their bitter rivals.
“‘SC is always a huge game for us,” said senior Lindsey Pluimer, who hasn’t beaten the Trojans since that win her freshman season. “The whole rivalry is very exciting. If we can get this win and get on a roll, it would be big for us.”
For Pluimer and the rest of the Bruins to succeed, they’ll have to do something that only one other team has done thus far this season: win at the Galen Center. A large crowd is expected, which coach Kathy Olivier does not expect to be a problem due to her squad’s experience in high-intensity atmospheres.
“Obviously there’s extra pressure because it’s a rivalry game,” Olivier said after practice Wednesday afternoon. “But the energy and excitement from nonconference games will prepare us for this one.”
Facing a tough USC squad, the Bruins will look to their defense, which is ranked first in the conference in terms of field goal percentage defense, allowing only 33.1 percent shooting from the field. This will be key against a bevy of talented shooters for the Trojans, who are not shy about taking shots from the perimeter. Junior guard Brynn Cameron, who sits at No. 3 on the Trojans’ all-time list for 3-point shots made, is prolific from beyond the arc, as is point guard Camille LeNoir.
“They have a lot of great shooters and athletes,” Pluimer said. “But we have to focus on taking care of our own and boxing out.”
Olivier is wary of the Trojans’ perimeter-oriented attack, emphasizing that exterior defense will be key to pulling off the road win.
“Exterior defense is really important,” Olivier said. “That’s where we play good basketball. When we’re on defensively, we are a very good basketball team.”
Though the Trojans appear at first glance to have dominated the Bruins in recent years, this is not entirely the case.
Six of the last seven games between the two schools have been decided by four points or fewer, with the largest margin of victory coming by seven at the Galen Center last year. Accordingly, UCLA coaches and players have stressed the importance of tip-to-buzzer intensity and focus.
“This game comes down to the wire,” Olivier said. “You have to make sure defensively you’re on your game. In a rivalry game, you have to keep your poise and execute properly.”
Pluimer echoed these words, indicating the determination with which the Bruins are approaching this game.
“We have to come out with focus and play 40 minutes of good basketball,” Pluimer said.
There will be a distinct local flavor to the contest, with several of the players having known each other from high school or summer ball. This will only heighten the sense of urgency, according to Pluimer and Olivier.
“There’s always an extra edge,” Olivier said. “A lot of our players know their players. It’s for bragging rights. It’s a lot easier to go out there and talk the talk if you win the game.”
Key to the Bruins’ success will be the play of the freshman standouts. With nonconference games against high-profile Maryland and Tennessee under their belts, the awe factor is not expected to be an issue.
One nagging concern is the uncertainty surrounding the status of guard Darxia Morris, who sat out last weekend’s games with a knee sprain. She is questionable for Saturday.
Overall, however, Pluimer does not feel inexperience will play a factor.
“I think the freshmen will step up,” Pluimer said. “It will be a big game for them, but they’re gamers. The games we’ve played previously in the Pac-10 will help them in this game.”
In a rivalry game like this, however, you never know who will come out on top.
“It’s going to be a battle from jump ball until the horn sounds,” Olivier said.