UCLA
California
Women's Hoops Knocks Off Cal
June 21, 1999 | Women's Basketball
February 14, 1999
LOS ANGELES - The 11th-ranked UCLA womens basketball team (19-6) ran its Pac-10 Conference record to 11-2 by defeating California 76-61 in front of 1,549 at Pauley Pavilion.
UCLA jumped out to a 31-13 lead with 7:45 to play but then watched as Cal went on a 15-2 run to shrink the lead to just five with just a minute to play in the half. The Bruins did not make a single field goal in that seven minute span, scoring only on a pair of Melanie Pearson free throws. UCLA went into the lockerroom at halftime leading just 34-28.
"I stressed in the locker that we needed to come out with energy," said UCLA head coach Kathy Olivier. "That 10 minute lull we had in the first half - we cant do that and expect to win games." The Golden Bears kept with UCLA early in the second half, mostly on the strength of offensive rebounding. Cal had 24 offensive boards in the game (seven by freshman Shavaki Jackson), doubling UCLAs total. But when Pearson hit two free throws to give UCLA a 10-point, 53-43 lead with 10:28 to play, the Golden Bears could get no closer. The Bruins led by as much as 19 in the second half before settling in for the 15-point victory.
Said California head coach Marianne Stanley on her teams efforts, "I thought they battled harder. They challenged players with their heart. Rebounding has more to do with heart than talent. I thought our kids put forth a much better effort rebounding, but they didnt shoot well." Cal shot 25.7% in the game, while UCLA shot 47.9%. Cal senior guard Sherrise Smith (Los Angeles, CA/Crossroads HS) led all players with a career-high 21 points. Jackson had 12, and Courtney Johnson added 11 with nine rebounds.
Maylana Martin (Perris, CA) led five Bruins in double figure scoring with 13 points and seven rebounds. Marie Philman (Huntington Beach, CA/Edison HS), LaCresha Flannigan (San Bernardino, CA) and Carly Funicello (North Hills, CA/Alemany HS) each had 11 points, while Melanie Pearson (Irvine/Woodbridge HS) added 10.
The Bruins will next travel to USC on Saturday, Feb. 20 at 7:00 pm, while Cal (8-13, 2-10) is at home against Washington State on Thursday, Feb. 18 at 7:30 pm.
