Gomez Sparks Bruins

With 9:53 to play in the first half Friday night, UCLA’s senior point guard, Erica Gomez, made her first appearance since last March.

At the time, the Bruins trailed wounded and winless Cal State Fullerton by a point.

Seven minutes later, they led by eight en route to a 108-75 victory before 518 at Fullerton.

With Gomez serving as the catalyst to the running game, the sixth-ranked Bruins (5-2) raced to their highest point total since 1993.

Gomez, sidelined since mid-September because of a shoulder injury, was cleared to play after a Thursday night telephone consultation with the New York doctor who surgically repaired her shoulder.

She had 10 points, eight assists and two steals in 16 minutes.

“The shoulder felt great, no problem,” she said. “I was a little winded, but I don’t know if that has to do with not being in game shape or because I had some kind of virus last week. For my first time back, I guess I’m happy about it.”

UCLA Coach Kathy Olivier, whose team extended its winning streak to three games, indicated that Gomez’s playing time will increase.

“She was a pest on the bench, complaining about sitting,” Olivier said jokingly. “She was even pulling on my sleeve.

“She’s been practicing for a month, but not in any drills where she might risk contact. I thought she played well.”

Teammates concurred.

“I’m excited to have her back,” said forward Maylana Martin, who scored a game-high 22 points. “I think Erica gives our team a whole different look. She really makes us run our lanes.”

UCLA trailed, 24-23, when Gomez entered the game.

Why such a sloppy start? Fullerton (0-7), suiting up only eight players, gave UCLA fits with its inside and outside offensive game despite the absence of two injured starters.

“It might have been the bus ride,” Gomez said. “Traffic was awful. We left school at 3:15 and got here at 6:15 [for a 7 p.m. start].”

Also, Olivier said, five of her players were taking final exams as late as 2:30 p.m. Friday.

With seven rebounds, Martin passed Jackie Joyner-Kersee and moved into sixth place on UCLA’s all-time list with 754. Joyner-Kersee had 752.