When a team is down, it never hurts to play the last-place team. Saturday afternoon was Senior Day, and UCLA star Lindsey Pluimer shone in a big way, leading the Bruins to a 80-70 win over Arizona in their regular season finale. Coach Kathy Olivier was pleased to end the regular season on a high note.
“I think we worked very hard all year, and we finally got some rhythm,” Olivier said. “That’s how we have to play in the Pac-10 tournament.”
Pluimer, who has started every game of her four-year UCLA career, finished with 18 points, 16 of them in the first half. The Bruins used a season-high eight 3-pointers to bury the conference cellar-dwelling Wildcats, who were unable to contain the quick Bruin guards.
“I love Pluimer,” Olivier said. “I told her to play this game like it was her first in a UCLA uniform. It was great to have her play like this.”
The win solidifies the No. 5 seed in the conference tournament for UCLA. The Bruins will face off with crosstown nemesis USC in the opening round next weekend in San Jose. The Bruins are 0-2 against the Trojans this season, including an ugly 49-36 loss at Pauley Pavilion.
“I love a matchup with ‘SC,” Olivier said. “Last time we did not play well, so we’re hoping to play very well as a team.”
Chock-full of emotions in their final home game of the year, UCLA tore out to an 11-0 lead in the first five minutes of the contest. The lead got as high as 22-3, but the Bruin shooters went cold as the Wildcats cut the lead to seven at the half.
On this day, however, Pluimer and the Bruins were not to be denied a victory. Point guard Doreena Campbell stroked a long-range bomb to open the second half, helping reignite the Bruin offense that had struggled in the last few contests.
“We’re excited for the Pac-10 tournament,” Pluimer said. “Hopefully this win gives us momentum.”
In her final game as a Bruin, it was only fitting that Lindsey Pluimer be the leading scorer. Her postgame comments to the fans in attendance drew a loud cheer and a salute from the band, which chanted her name in the closing seconds. “I’ve had a great experience here, I love being at UCLA,” Pluimer said following the game.
The Bruins shot a season high 8-14 from the 3-point line, including three by Campbell who also pitched in four assists. “We knew we’d get some open shots against their zone, and we did,” Campbell said.
As a team, the Bruins shot 49 percent from the field while holding Arizona to just 40 percent. The 80 points proved their highest scoring output since defeating Cal Poly San Louis Obispo 107-83 in November. The numbers all add up to a nice victory for the Bruins, who were looking for some semblance of offensive continuity before heading to San Jose on Friday. For Pluimer, the game adds up to one final farewell to Pauley Pavilion.
“I love UCLA. I love Pauley. I love everyone who came out and supported me,” Pluimer said.