ANAHEIM — It took a moment to settle down the first-game energy at the Honda Center.
But once the UCLA women’s basketball team found its footing, brushing aside its four turnovers in the first quarter, there was no question as to why many believe the Bruins can return to the Final Four – or push for more – this season.
Third-ranked UCLA (1-0) could be special if each cog in the Bruins’ machine churns a little faster and more efficiently than it did Monday night in a comfortable, yet not entirely dominant, 77-53 victory over San Diego State in the season opener for both teams, billed as the Orange County Hoops Classic.
But for UCLA coach Cori Close, entering her 15th season coaching the Bruins, she saw an unfocused effort that detracted from a few highlight individual performances. Close said her team was “flat all the way around.”
“I think it’s a good wake-up call, and to say, ‘You know what, if we don’t commit to the little championship-level standards and habits every day, anything can happen,’” Close said. “And I didn’t think we played near to our potential on either side of the ball.”
Among the Bruins’ solo acts, senior center Lauren Betts battled double-teams to finish with a game-high 21 points (11 in the first half) on 9-of-12 shooting. Gabriela Jaquez, an X-Factor senior guard, grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds (four of which were offensive).
Kiki Rice may have unexpectedly started the game on the bench – likely in favor of senior forward Angela Dugalić – but when the senior guard entered to sink a 3-pointer to end the Bruins’ 0-for-10 run from behind the arc to begin the game, it was proof of how deep they could be.
Close said after the game that as of a week ago, Rice was on a heavy minutes restriction as she returned from an offseason shoulder surgery. UCLA’s training staff cleared the longest-tenured starter on the team, but Close opted to shift Rice to the bench.
“I’m sure everybody wants to start right. I’m sure she didn’t like it. But the reality is, I have to make that choice, as she’s coming back from having really, six months off,” Close said.
Team-wide, UCLA recorded nine blocked shots and five steals while shooting 48.5% from the field, compared to SDSU’s 33.9%. They outrebounded the Aztecs 49-25.
The Bruins’ depth – the depth that Close referred to during the preseason as a team of players who could star for any team in the country, but would also need to be patient for playing time and to make their impact – was on full display.
Gianna Kneepkens showcased her highly advertised length and tenacity as a defender in her first game as a Bruin.
The Utah transfer began the contest with a lay-in on an assist from Charlisse Leger-Walker – the Washington State transfer who sat out her first season in Westwood while recovering from a torn ACL – to make it 2-0, and later in the second quarter blocked a 3-point attempt from San Diego State guard/forward Sofia Kelmeni to deflect the ball into the path of Rice.
Rice, entering her fourth year in Westwood – along with Betts, a member of the preseason All-Big Ten team – shuffled the ball right back down to Kneepkens, driving down the court with long 6-foot strides, who converted a layup to to give the Bruins a 24-13 lead.
“We practice that all the time,” Leger-Walker said. “Coach Cori makes us run if we don’t get our outlets and get to our spot. So, it’s something that’s ingrained in our program. But Gianna is really good at knowing where her shots come from and getting to those positions.”
Leger-Walker, whom Close said last week lowers the pulse of the team while on the court, recorded a team-high 31-plus score across 24 minutes. Close said that while she doesn’t value plus-minus heavily, the statistic was spot-on Monday night.
Manning the point guard spot for the majority of the game, the sixth-year Kiwi guard’s return to action, 650 days after tearing her ACL, was smooth sailing and capped by a reverse layup that stalled a 16-12 scoring stretch for the Aztecs from end of the third quarter into the fourth.
“I was so excited to play with Charlisse, finally, our first official game,” Jaquez said. “She was great for us last year, although she didn’t play, just her voice, her knowledge, was super helpful.”
UCLA held SDSU scoreless for exactly five minutes in the third quarter, a run of high-effort intensity from Jaquez sparking a 16-0 run. Need an offensive rebound? Jaquez boxed her way out for a second-chance bucket to make it 44-24.
Later in the period, the Camarillo native – and brother of Miami Heat forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. – stripped the Aztecs (0-1) for back-to-back steals, leading to a layup and 3-pointer of her own to make it 53-24.
Close had glowed over Jaquez during her media availability a week ago, and for good reason as she recorded 15 points, 11 rebounds and five assists on Monday – UCLA’s first double-double of the season.
Kaelyn Hamilton scored 11 points, and Nat Martinez and Nala Williams had 10 each for the Aztecs, who shot 10 for 25 from 3-point range.
The Bruins were without touted freshman Sienna Betts, younger sister of Lauren, and Timea Gardiner, the team’s leading 3-point shooter last season, is recovering from a knee injury. Betts hurt her lower left leg in a preseason scrimmage.
Six of UCLA’s first eight games will be played at neutral sites, including two visits to Las Vegas in a three-week span.
“We need to have a sense of humility coming back (for practice) on Wednesday,” Close said. “I expect an incredibly different response and us going to another level in our focus, teamwork, and toughness.”