UCLA beats Delaware State, 64-54

After trailing by one point at halftime, UCLA outscored Delaware State by 11 in the second half Friday to win the opening game of the Lobo Shootout at Albuquerque, 64-54.

The Bruins (6-4), who extended their winning streak to three games, will play New Mexico tonight for the championship. In the third-place game, the Hornets (2-4) will play Sam Houston State, which lost to New Mexico, 77-44, Friday.

UCLA senior guard Noelle Quinn scored a game-high 17 points. She also had seven rebounds and six assists. Junior forward Lindsey Pluimer had 16 points and seven rebounds, five on the offensive end.

Also scoring in double figures for UCLA was senior forward Amanda Livingston, who had 11 points and eight rebounds. Sophomore center Chinyere Ibekwe had nine points and a team-high 11 rebounds.

UCLA scored the first six points of the game after forcing three consecutive turnovers, but the Hornets took a 21-14 lead with 10:02 left in the first half. The Bruins then responded with an 8-0 run, capped by Quinn’s three-point basket, to regain the lead with 7:20 left.

“Delaware State is an aggressive team with a lot of quickness. We executed our defense very well and didn’t allow them to penetrate,” said UCLA Coach Kathy Olivier. “I was impressed with our freshmen; they didn’t get intimidated tonight.”