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Colorado State (32-2) vs. UCLA (25-7)

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UCLA STARTING LINEUP

Maylana Martin: 13, Forward, 6-3

Marie Philman: 5, Forward, 6-0

Janae Hubbard: 34, Center, 6-4

Erica Gomez: 10, Guard, 5-9

LaCresha Flannigan: 45, Forward, 5-7

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About UCLA: The Bruins reached a season peak early with an 86-68 victory over North Carolina--a Sweet 16 survivor at 28-7--but they seemed close to that in their 87-63 victory over Kentucky in the second round of the tournament Monday. “Right now, we’re close to where we were against North Carolina,” said Marie Philman, the junior from Huntington Beach who had a personal-best game against Kentucky with 16 points and 10 rebounds. It’s a non-senior team with four juniors starting, Flannigan being a sophomore. Martin was the Pacific 10 player of the year and led the conference in scoring. In the team’s high-low post offense, Martin and Hubbard are interchangeable, but Hubbard has had a problem with early fouls. Generally, when she avoids foul trouble, UCLA wins.

COLORADO STATE STARTING LINEUP

Heather Haanen: 45, Forward, 5-11

Katie Cronin: 33, Forward, 6-0

Farrah McDill: 20, Center, 6-0

Roxanne Manning: 15, Guard, 5-8

Becky Hammon: 25, Guard, 5-6

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About Colorado State: The Rams have one of the best players in the country in senior point guard Hammon. They were riding a 19-game winning streak until stumbling against Southern Methodist--a team they had beaten twice earlier--in the Western Athletic Conference tournament final, 65-49. Hammon, who averages 22.6 points and 3.7 assists. She has shooting range and exceptional passing skills. When she scored 42 against Nevada Las Vegas last month, she had seven three-point baskets. She finished the season at 42% from beyond the arc. A matchup to watch: Look for UCLA’s stopper, Flannigan, to be assigned to guard Hammon.

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