Friday, May 15

Sophomore Monique Billings provides spark for Bruins’ turnaround season

Monique Billings had never won a game against Arizona State. But on a Sunday afternoon in late February, the sophomore forward really wanted to. The Bruins would be done with the 2015-2016 regular season after their game against the then-No. Read more...

Photo: Sophomore forward Monique Billings has almost doubled her scoring average from last season, putting up 12.7 points per game and garnering high praise for her post skills from coach Cori Close. (Keila Mayberry/Daily Bruin staff)


Group demands termination of Steve Alford’s basketball coaching contract

A small plane circled the sky above UCLA’s campus Monday, towing behind it a simple message: “UCLA deserves better. Fire Alford!” The emphatic message has been echoed around the internet recently, calling for the firing of men’s basketball coach Steve Alford in the days since the Bruins’ season ended prematurely in the first round of the Pac-12 tournament March 9. Read more...

Photo: UCLA men’s basketball coach Steve Alford led the Bruins to a 15-17 season, the squad’s worst record since former coach Ben Howland was fired in 2013. (Jintak Han/Daily Bruin)



Tony Parker looks toward future after frustrating senior season

Tony Parker slumped back into his seat on the bench with his long arms hanging over his knees. The lone senior on UCLA men’s basketball stared blankly up at the MGM Grand Garden Arena scoreboard hanging high above him. Read more...

Photo: Senior forward/center Tony Parker was moved to the bench 22 games into the season in favor of coach Steve Alford’s up-tempo style of play, but said he was not bothered by the decision. (Aubrey Yeo/Daily Bruin senior staff)


Women’s basketball takes a breather before start of NCAA Tournament

With the NCAA Tournament looming on the horizon for UCLA women’s basketball, this is the time for teams to kick into high gear, to ramp up its focus, to raise its execution – to engage in an intense game of full-sized “Hungry Hungry Hippos.” On Friday, the UCLA women’s basketball did exactly that. Read more...

Photo: UCLA women’s basketball coach Cori Close gave the team a break recently, organizing the 24-8 Bruins to play the game “Hungry Hungry Hippos.” (Ken Shin/Daily Bruin)


Seniors and longtime friends’ doubles partnership continues to blossom

Catherine Harrison and Kyle McPhillips are accustomed to seeing eye to eye on the court. The senior doubles duo is currently ranked No. 5 in the nation, following top-10 finishes in each of the past two seasons. Read more...

Photo: Seniors Kyle McPhillips (left) and Catherine Harrison (right) form UCLA’s No. 1 doubles team. The pair has earned a top-10 national ranking at the end of each of the past two seasons. (Anthony Tran/Daily Bruin)


Women’s basketball earns No. 3 seed in NCAA Tournament

A runner-up finish at the Pac-12 Tournament wasn’t enough to lift UCLA women’s basketball to a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Instead, the Bruins will be dancing their way to the Bridgeport, Connecticut, region as a No. Read more...

Photo: The UCLA women’s basketball team will be a No. 3 seed in the Bridgeport, Connecticut, region in the NCAA Tournament this month. (Korbin Placet/Daily Bruin senior staff)