Monday, February 1, 1999
Bruins muzzle Cougars with resounding win
W.BASKETBALL UCLA utilizes balanced offense, defense to beat
Washington State
By Jim Earhart
Daily Bruin Contributor
The No. 8 UCLA women’s basketball team continued its total
domination of the Pac-10 on Saturday afternoon at Pauley Pavilion.
In front of 1,748 boisterous fans, the Bruins (17-4 overall, 9-0
Pac-10) upped their current win streak to 10 and remained
undefeated in their conference by defeating Washington State (9-9,
3-6) by a score of 100-70.
The Bruins started off slowly and trailed 13-11 midway through
the first half before they went on a 16-3 tear to gain a
comfortable lead that they maintained for the rest of the game. The
Bruins performed on both ends of the court, as the offense shot 54
percent from the field while their defense held the Cougars to just
31 percent. The team also out-rebounded Washington State by a total
of 53-40 and stole the ball 12 more times.
"They have probably the best overall team speed that we have
played against this year, which made it very difficult to stay with
them," said WSU head coach Harold Rhodes.
A large part of the team’s overall speed can be accredited to
sophomore guard LaCresha Flannigan, who finished with a game high
22 points, many of which came off fast breaks and acrobatic
lay-ups.
"I don’t think there is anyone quicker than her in the Pac-10,"
said UCLA head coach Kathy Olivier.
UCLA’s powerful offense was also led by juniors Marie Philman
and Carly Funicello. Philman, who had just come off a career game
against Washington on Thursday, scored 21 points and led the
crucial 16-3 run. Funicello finished the game with a career-high 17
rebounds and 16 points, 14 of which came in the second half.
Philman, who averaged 22.5 points, and Flannigan, who averaged
23 points against Washington and Washington State, have both made
strong bids for co-Pac-10 Players of the Week.
The Bruins proved themselves defensively as well, accumulating
19 steals, 36 defensive rebounds and causing 23 turnovers. Freshman
Michelle Greco had a career high seven steals to go along with her
three assists and 13 points.
By defeating the Cougars, UCLA completed its first round sweep
of every team in the Pac-10. The team is well on its way to UCLA’s
first Pac-10 title in women’s basketball.
"I think we can go 18-0; not many teams can say they went
undefeated in conference," said Funicello.
Despite all of the team’s recent success, Olivier said, "We’re
staying pretty grounded."
UCLA continued its hot streak in spite of the loss of leading
point scorer and rebounder, junior Maylana Martin, who has missed
the last two games due to migraines. The Bruins could use their
junior forward Martin as they head off to play Oregon next
Thursday, and she could be practicing with the team on Monday.
Daily Bruin staff writer A. CinQue Carter also contributed to
this story.
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