UCLA Women Repel Arizona in Pac-10 Opener

UCLA didn’t get rattled by recent history, or Arizona’s fans.

LaCresha Flannigan scored 18 points as the ninth-ranked Bruins built an 18-point halftime lead and held on for an 84-77 victory over Arizona in a women’s Pacific 10 Conference basketball opener Saturday in Tucson.

“Things started going their way, the crowd got behind them and we got careless with the ball at the end,” UCLA Coach Kathy Olivier said. “But we concentrated on what we needed to do to win.”

The Bruins (9-4) had an 81-69 lead with just under two minutes remaining, but two turnovers and a missed free throw enabled the Wildcats (5-5) to close to six before a three-point play by Flannigan put the game out of reach.

Michelle Greco had 16 points, Marie Philman 13, Maylana Martin 12 and Janae Hubbard 10 for UCLA, which had lost nine of the past 11 meetings against the Wildcats and last won in Tucson on Jan. 9, 1993.

Hubbard also had 11 rebounds and Martin pulled down 10.

“I always thought we were going to win the game,” Philman said. “Arizona picked it up and played better in the second half and were more aggressive.

“We weren’t playing our best at times and we still had the lead. We knew we would have to give it to them in order for us to lose.”

Reshea Bristol paced the Wildcats with 17 points. Felecity Willis had 14, Tatum Brown 13 and Elizabeth Pickney 12.

“We played like we were intimidated and we didn’t play with a lot of heart early,” Bristol said. “I know that if we play Arizona basketball we can beat anyone, but we need to be more aggressive.”

UCLA shot 60% in the first half and reeled off the final nine points to take a 47-29 halftime lead.

Arizona, shooting 31% from three-point range this season, made only one of nine in the first half and three of 16 overall.

“I give UCLA credit for playing a smart game,” Wildcat guard Lisa Griffith said. “And when you fall behind by 18 points, it’s hard to come back.”

USC 67, Arizona State 54--Adrain Williams scored 22 points and Tasharsa Carter had 10 points and 10 rebounds for the Trojans in a Pac-10 opener at Tempe, Ariz.

USC (5-5) used a 7-0 run early in the first half to erase an 8-6 deficit and take the lead for good.

The Trojans led, 36-24, at halftime and increased the margin to 19 with 10:54 to play.

Tiffany Elmore added 11 points for USC, which forced Arizona State into 26 turnovers.

Kristine Sand, starting in place of injured forward Leah Combs, scored 20 points and was the only player to reach double figures for the Sun Devils (6-4).