UCLA women defeat Rice

The youth movement continues to accelerate for the UCLA women’s basketball team.

Doreena Campbell, one of three freshmen who started Sunday against visiting Rice, had a team-high 14 points and five assists to lead the Bruins to a 79-71 victory at Pauley Pavilion.

UCLA freshman center Regina Rogers scored eight of her 12 points in the second half and first-year guard Nina Earl scored 11 points off the bench.

“They’re very much gamers,” UCLA Coach Kathy Olivier said of the freshman class.

Their contributions have lightened the load expected to be carried by forward Lindsey Pluimer, the team’s only senior. Pluimer scored 12 points, but made only four of 13 shots. An 80% free-throw shooter during her first three seasons at UCLA, she made four of seven from the line against the Owls.

“Her strength right now is her versatility,” Olivier said.

Pluimer’s biggest contribution was drawing the second foul on Rice center Valeriya Berezhynska two minutes into the game.

Berezhynska, who came in averaging just over 23 points, sat out the remainder of the first half and finished with 11 points in 17 minutes.

The Bruins (2-0) closed the half with a 24-11 run to take a five-point halftime lead, then stretched it to 11 points with 13:15 left.

UCLA also displayed its depth early on against Rice (4-1), as all nine Bruins who played in the first half scored at least one basket.