On the opening night of the season, nobody expected a team
called Love and Basketball to keep stride with the No. 15 Bruins,
much less to win.
However, the team of former collegiate players, including UCLA
alumnae Natalie Nakase (2000-2003) and Sandra Van Embricqs
(1987-1990), fended off the Bruins late in the game and thrived off
a porous defense to snag a 79-70 victory at Pauley Pavilion last
night.
The difference in the game may have been the play of senior
guard Noelle Quinn, who had an off night, going only 4 of 18 from
the floor with four turnovers.
“I told them (in the locker room), I would bet my house
that that’s not going to happen again,” coach Kathy
Olivier said. “I think for Noelle, she has a completely
different role on this team, and once everyone gets used to it
she’s going to enjoy it more.
“She has a lot going on. She brings so much to the table
we can’t get down on her about the shooting.”
The Bruins’ defense consistently gave up second- and
third-shot opportunities throughout the night, making it difficult
for UCLA to generate any momentum.
“I was disappointed in our defense because we worked so
hard on that,” Olivier said. “We want to be a better
defensive team from last year. I thought we gave up a few too many
threes, and we allowed too many O-boards. We talked about that as a
group. That’s going to be our focus ““ to improve on
that.”
Love and Basketball outshot the Bruins 76-66 and was able to get
the ball inside with high-percentage shots early in the game to
establish a lead.
Love and Basketball guard Jessica Cheeks was a clutch performer
for the visitors, totaling 16 points and shooting 4-9 from beyond
the arc, seemingly always with an answer to a Bruin run.
On defense, the Bruins were without two key players, Tierra
Henderson and Chinyere Ibekwe, who were sitting out because of a
team-rules violation from last season. Both will be playing major
roles on the court and will return to action next game.
“They’ve been awesome,” Olivier said.
“They’ve done everything they need to do this year.
They’re a huge part of what we’re doing. So we missed
them.”
With two UCLA alumnae on the court and a former assistant coach
(Colleen Matsuhara) on the bench, Love and Basketball came out
firing and stayed competitive throughout the game, something not
even Olivier expected.
“They were hitting everything at the beginning,” she
said. “I know they always get up for UCLA, but I was
impressed by their shooting. I think defensively, if we’re
going to be a top-20 basketball team, then we need to do a better
job and just contest every shot.”
How Love and Basketball compares to the Bruins’
regular-season competition remains to be seen, but the team was no
cupcake matchup.
“I think this team has good size,” Olivier said.
“They’re more Stanford-ish as far as the size goes.
“I think Stanford will be a better team defensively than
this team, but as far as the rebounding goes, I can’t
indicate on that.”
The Bruins will take on Team Concept in an exhibition game on
Sunday at 2 p.m. at Pauley Pavilion.