UCLA women’s depth upends Northridge, 81-69

The UCLA women’s basketball team is counting on a deep bench and unbridled youth to bring success. If the season opener Wednesday was any indication, those factors could form a fearsome combination.

The Bruins flashed both right from the start against host Cal State Northridge, playing nine of their 11 available players in the first 5 1/2 minutes, including all five freshmen.

Those factors were too much for the Matadors at the end of the first half. That’s when the Bruins built a double-digit lead and coasted to an 81-69 victory.

Five players scored in double figures for the Bruins, led by senior Lindsey Pluimer with 16 points. Freshman guard Doreena Campbell contributed 14 points and a team-high seven steals. Campbell also had three assists and committed only one turnover in a team-high 32 minutes.

“She didn’t look like a freshman at all,” Coach Kathy Olivier said.

Campbell’s most impressive stretch came in the last two minutes of the first half. The Matadors (0-3) had cut the deficit to three, but the Bruins (1-0) forced four turnovers in the closing minutes while outscoring Northridge, 11-0, to take a 41-27 halftime lead. Campbell scored seven points during the run, including a three-point basket at the buzzer, and had two steals.

“I think we used our quickness, as far as our press goes, and our depth,” Olivier said. “We were scrambling and moving the whole time, that’s why they couldn’t read us.”

Nina Earl, a freshman from Pomona, had a strong first game. She finished with 13 points on six-for-nine shooting. Darxia Morris, a freshman guard from Pasadena, started alongside Campbell and scored 12 points.

“I think for all the freshmen, it’s a new thing and a new experience,” Campbell said. “We’ve been playing with the upperclassmen, and they’ve been very helpful. That’s helped us all blend together as a team and it has just made it more comfortable for us.”

dan.arritt@latimes.com