Entering their game against Arizona State, it appeared that the UCLA women’s basketball team was facing a tall task. The Bruins were on the road against a ranked team, and the Sun Devils were hungry after coughing up a late lead against USC on Friday.
But all of the adversity seemed to disappear when UCLA began the game by scoring the first seven points, setting the pace for what would turn into a handily 74-56 victory over the No. 19 Sun Devils.
“We were able to create transition opportunities for ourselves, and that led to some good baskets,” UCLA coach Nikki Caldwell said after Sunday’s game.
Despite the Bruins’ early success on offense, according to Caldwell, it was the Bruins’ defense that allowed them to gain control of the game.
“I really thought that defensively we played our assignments,” Caldwell said. “We talked about what we wanted to do and went out there and executed. Arizona State really gets up on you defensively, so we told our team back door. We realized that door was going to be there.”
Caldwell’s team shut down the Arizona State attack, using their quickness to create a multitude of turnovers. The Bruins used 10 first-half steals to take the home crowd out of the game early and began to turn some of their chances into points. UCLA entered halftime with a 37-20 lead.
“I thought it began with our intensive intensity,” Caldwell said. “We stuck to our game plan, and we got easy looks for (Markel) Walker and (Jasmine) Dixon. We were patient.”
With the win, UCLA improved to 2-0 in conference play and secured a pair of crucial road victories. It was also the Bruins’ first victory over a ranked team this season and could be an important resume-booster later in the season.
“I think this win means a lot,” sophomore guard Dixon said. “Coming off the game we had, we didn’t display what we could do. We played as a team and came out with a win.”
The dynamic duo of Dixon and freshman forward Walker dominated throughout the game. Dixon finished the afternoon with 21 points and 11 rebounds, while Walker tossed in 24 points and 7 rebounds of her own. The backcourt tandem of junior guards Darxia Morris and Doreena Campbell finished the game scoring 11 points apiece.
“Today in the game I wasn’t in as much foul trouble, and I got into more of a rhythm,” Dixon said. “As for Markel, she’s a great kid and she’s always in rhythm, so you just have to get her the ball.”
It was UCLA’s first victory over Arizona State, home or away, since the 2006 Pac-10 tournament championship game.
The Bruins face an especially tough test beginning Friday. Conference foes California and Stanford, two perennial Pac-10 powers, will come to Pauley Pavilion for a clash with the surging Bruins. Stanford is currently No. 2 in the nation. Caldwell, however, feels that this weekend’s showing proves that her team can compete with the best teams in the league and around the country.
“I think the one thing this team has shown is that they can play with talented teams,” Caldwell said. “I hope that we are up for that challenge. Being at home is a positive for us, and we have played well to be in this position. I’m very pleased with where we’re at overall because we are progressing.”