UCLA d. Liberty 62-55 Michigan St. d. UCLA
67-63 Â
By Adam Titcher
Daily Bruin Contributor
The UCLA women’s basketball team proved to be a new team.
This team actually won a game away from Pauley Pavilion. In two
close games against Liberty and Michigan State in the Chevrolet
Spartan Classic this past weekend, UCLA (1-1) took a road win for
the first time in over 20 months.
In their first game of the season with Liberty University (1-1),
the Bruins overcame being down for the majority of the game, and
beat the Flames 62-55.
With the help of UCLA senior guard Michelle Greco’s 24
points, the Bruins rallied from a 10-point halftime deficit to
win.
UCLA held Liberty with their speed and forced the Flames to play
a quicker game, which they evidently could not handle.
“Our defense in the second half made it more of our kind
of game,” head coach Kathy Olivier said. “They had to
rush and began to struggle, and we got more and more confidence and
a nice lift from the bench.”
But the Bruins went on to face Michigan State in the
championship game, where they had their first winning streak of the
season snapped.
Despite an amazing 36-point performance by Greco, the
Tournament’s Most Valuable Player, the Bruins lost to the
Spartans 67-63. UCLA led for the first nine minutes of play, 17-8,
but Michigan State (2-0) ran with the ball for 12 straight
points.
“This was a nice accomplishment for our team,”
Michigan State head coach Joanne P. McCallie said. “I tip my
hat off to our players. I thought we did what we needed to do to be
successful.”
The Bruins and Spartans stalemated for most of the second half.
And after a 56-56 tie with a couple minutes remaining, Michigan
State won.
With six consecutive free throws in the final minute, the
Spartan’s shooting proved to be the difference.
Greco, who set a new school record for three point shots made
with eight from downtown, could not compensate for the team’s
lacking at the free-throw line. The Bruins shot 52.9 percent from
the stripe while the Spartans shot 72.7 percent.
But the Bruins have no reason to hang onto their grief. They
have started the season well and look forward to playing at home.
And the players know there is plenty of time to get better.
“They all gave their guts and that is what we asked
for,” Olivier said. “We have some holes and that is why
the season is young. We have to improve.”