UCLA women waver but defeat Riverside, 71-60

The first half of the UCLA women’s basketball game against UC Riverside on Friday afternoon was a microcosm of the Bruins’ play this season.

Unstoppable at times, stuck in the mud at others.

The Bruins took a 20-point lead in the first 10 minutes, watched it all but disappear before halftime, then regrouped down the stretch to win, 71-60, at Pauley Pavilion.

“That’s our thing, we get on a roll and we let up,” said senior forward Lindsey Pluimer, who had a team-high 16 points and 10 rebounds. “That’s what kills us and that’s what we’re trying to work on.”

The Bruins (5-6) made nine of their first 11 shots and took a 24-4 lead on Erica Tukiainen’s layup midway through the half. Riverside found its rhythm about the same time UCLA went cold and closed the gap to 26-24 when Amber Cox scored off an offensive rebound with 3 minutes 10 seconds left.

Nina Earl made two three-pointers in the final three minutes to extend the Bruins’ lead to five at halftime.

The game was still up for grabs when UCLA freshman point guard Doreena Campbell fouled out with 5:28 left. The Highlanders made both free throws to cut the deficit to three, but the Bruins made eight of eight free throws down the stretch.

“We have to come out with that mentality every single game,” Pluimer said. “We can’t cut any team or anyone any slack.”

Riverside (2-8) played without last season’s Big West Conference player of the year, senior forward Kemie Nkele, who was lost for the season after injuring her left knee Sunday in a 62-49 loss at Kansas. The Bruins open Pacific 10 Conference play Friday at Arizona State.

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dan.arritt@latimes.com