In a dominating performance, the No. 12 UCLA women’s basketball team (13-1, 3-0 Pac-10) defeated crosstown rival USC (10-4, 2-1) 61-42 Saturday at Pauley Pavilion.
Led by junior forward Jasmine Dixon’s 20 points on nine-of-11 shooting to go along with nine rebounds, the Bruins proved to be too much in the paint for the Women of Troy to handle. In lopsided fashion, UCLA outscored USC 30-8 in the key.
Not only did the Bruins score in the paint, they also grabbed plenty of rebounds ““ 43 of them, in fact, 19 of which were on the offensive side of the court.
From the opening minutes of the game, UCLA established a persistent full-court press that has become its trademark of the season. With the Bruins defending the whole length of the court, the Women of Troy seemed to have a hard time establishing any kind of offensive rhythm and settled for outside jumpers.
“This team knows that our identity … this season is our defense and board play,” UCLA coach Nikki Caldwell said. “Today I thought we brought both of them and it carried over into a W for us.”
By halftime, the Bruins held a 26-13 lead that they would never relinquish. Both teams shot poorly in the first half, with UCLA shooting 36.4 percent from the field and USC shooting 22.7 percent.
Once the second half got underway, the Bruins continually padded their lead, even stretching it to a 25-point advantage late in the period.
Senior guards Doreena Campbell and Darxia Morris helped command an offense that continually cracked the zone defense set up by USC. Campbell’s efforts took her all over the court en route to 13 points, four rebounds, five assists and four steals.
The loss snapped USC’s six-game win streak. UCLA has maintained a streak of its own, having won its last three contests.