Pink on the outside, a heart-felt message on the inside.
On Sunday, the UCLA women’s basketball team supported breast cancer awareness as the Bruins hosted Washington in the “Think Pink” game. With the Bruins in custom-made pink and white uniforms from Adidas, the teams took part in the WBCA (Women’s Basketball Coaches Association) “Think Pink” global initiative to educate people on several campuses about breast cancer.
The Bruins’ support for breast cancer awareness hits home as sophomore center Moniquee Alexander lost her mother to the illness when she was in middle school.
Alexander shared her story with the crowd on the video screen at halftime and wants to spread the message about getting tested early.
“It’s important to raise awareness because when this disease attacks, it doesn’t just attack the person, it attacks a family,” Alexander said.
The pink uniforms not only symbolized a new look for the Bruins, but have a deeper meaning to anyone who has been affected by breast cancer.
“The first time I saw them in practice, I cried because my uncle always told me that one day someone was going to want to hear my story,” Alexander said.
“Today was like I beat it, I beat the fight of losing my mom. Yes, she is gone, but today wearing pink was like my gift to her.”
While the pink uniforms alone were enough to make the game special, the action of the game itself was filled with high energy as UCLA went on to defeat Washington 75-68. The Bruins started the game off stronger than they have started any game this season, shooting 17-for-35 from the field in the first half for a 44-27 halftime lead.
With the game tied 4-4 in the third minute of the first half, UCLA went on a huge 14-0 run to take control of the game. Washington’s scoring drought was due to the Huskies’ inability to make easy layups.
UCLA’s largest lead came with less than six minutes left in the first half when the Bruins were up by 22 points at 34-12.
“We have never played such a good first half,” coach Kathy Olivier said.
In the second half, Washington managed to turn its game around. Though the Bruins did hold onto their lead, the Huskies went on an 11-2 run to start the half.
UCLA was aware of Washington’s capability to make games close in the second half, as the Huskies gave USC a scare on Friday night.
“This is a team that comes back. They never say die,” Olivier said. “We knew that; we talked about it at halftime. They shoot the long ball, so any team that shoots the 3, you have to be aware of the comeback.”
With just two minutes left in the game, Washington was able to close the once-large Bruin lead down to three points at 70-67, thanks to a 3-point shot from the Huskies’ sophomore guard Sami Whitcomb. Whitcomb lead all scorers with 27 points.
However, the Bruins were able to put the game away with a layup from freshman center Regina Rogers and three free throws from senior forward Lindsey Pluimer.
Pluimer finished with a season-high 19 points in both games this weekend.
“We did extremely well in the first half, and kind of let up a little in the second half, but basketball is a game of runs and Washington was never going to give up,” Pluimer said.