Gabriela Jaquez and UCLA dominate in win over UC

At her gamers’ request, Cori Close confirmed up inside Pauley Pavilion 5 hours before tipoff. The UCLA ladies’s basketball coach was joined by her assistants and managers for pregame taking pictures at 6:30 a.m., so many gamers filling the court that the classes had to be staggered.

Three days after a lackluster displaying in their season opener, the Bruins felt they’d one thing to show in their first recreation at home. The further work before dealing with UC Santa Barbara on Thursday mirrored their dedication.

“I mean, I never have to coach this team’s work ethic,” Close said. “That is never in question. And so that’s a really fun place to be in.”

The day’s greatest gratification would come later, the third-ranked Bruins resembling an All-Star staff at occasions during an 87-50 rout of the Gauchos that confirmed glimpses of the firepower they hope to totally unleash by season’s end.

Forward Gabriela Jaquez revealed one of the best long-range taking pictures shows of her profession, making 4 of seven three-pointers on the way in which to 21 factors. Point guard Kiki Rice was a fixed playmaker in her return to the beginning lineup while scoring 20 factors, grabbing eight rebounds and distributing three assists. Shooting guard Gianna Kneepkens added another dimension to the offense with 4 more three-pointers and 20 factors.

It was the first time the Bruins had three gamers rating 20 or more factors since 4 of them did it against Bellarmine in November 2023.

“There’s so many weapons that I feel like it’s hard for the defense to choose what to take away,” Kneepkens said, “so I think really what makes this team special is that on any night it could be someone’s night, so that’s a really hard thing to scout.”

The problem for the Bruins (2-0) could possibly be to maximize all that expertise.

Close said Rice had despatched her an Oklahoma City Thunder news convention in which the staff talked about building rhythm with its offense by best using the gamers who have been scorching on any given night time.

“We’re not quite there yet,” Close said. “We’re not playing with great rhythm. … I think we just haven’t totally found that flow yet.”

Part of that could possibly be pinned on Rice still rounding into type from a shoulder injury and fellow level guard Charlisse Leger-Walker (eight factors, seven assists, three steals) taking part in in only her second recreation since returning from a prolonged injury layoff.

The Bruins have been also without Sienna Betts (decrease leg) and Timea Gardiner (knee) for a second consecutive recreation. Close said there remained no timetable for Betts’ return even as she continued to progress.

But Close said she preferred the way in which her gamers responded after describing them as “flat all the way around” in their opener, a 24-point victory over San Diego State.

“The film session after that was not fun. Practice was not fun,” Close said. “And their willingness to say, ‘This is what we need. We need to be challenged. We didn’t meet the standard’ — I’m really impressed with their willingness to do that.”

After some lackadaisical UCLA protection in the first quarter, there was a stretch in the second quarter in which the Bruins made it tough just to get the ball past halfcourt.

Jaquez caught out a hand, tipping an outlet cross to herself before going in for a driving layup in which she was fouled. On the Gauchos’ next possession, Leger-Walker got here up with another steal, main to a Rice layup.

It wasn’t long before Jaquez and teammate Lauren Betts (12 factors, seven rebounds, six assists) used a double staff along the sideline to power another turnover.

Closing the half on a 19-2 run, the Bruins surged into a 51-26 lead. UCLA also benefited from an oddity halfway through the second quarter when the Gauchos (1-1) have been assessed a technical foul for having a participant carrying a jersey quantity that didn’t correspond with the scorebook.

For UCLA, the largest problem may need been scheduling the sport.

Close said she’s struggled to get groups to agree to play the Bruins after their Final Four run, calling every faculty in the state from San Luis Obispo to San Diego. Most of UCLA’s marquee nonconference video games, beginning with a showdown against Oklahoma on Monday in Sacramento, will likely be at impartial websites.

“They kept saying it’s the Lauren Betts factor and I was like, ‘No, it’s the you’re scared factor. Come on,’ ” Close said. “I actually really lose respect for people who aren’t willing to step up and play hard people.”

The Gauchos eagerly complied in half because they have been Close’s alma mater and the spot where she coached for 9 years.

“Thank you to them for stepping up and coming into Pauley,” Close said, “and wanting to get better at their craft and growing the game.”

For the Gauchos, given the way in which issues went, they is likely to be owed a Christmas card as effectively.

Early to rise, the Bruins also put an early end to any upset hopes.