Courtesy of UCLA Athletics-
November 14, 2010
No. 15/16 UCLA improved to 2-0 on the season after a 66-52 victory over visiting UC Santa Barbara on Sunday afternoon. Four UCLA players were in double-figure scoring, led by Jasmine Dixon and Markel Walker, who had 12 points each. Atonye Nyingifa and Darxia Morris added 10 points apiece.
UCLA led by as many as 11 points in the first half (30-19) after a Walker steal and layup and enjoyed a 31-21 halftime lead.
The Gauchos started the second half with a block and three-point play to cut the lead to seven, 31-24, but the Bruins went on a 24-2 run to extend their lead to 29 points, 55-26, at the 12:40 mark after a three-pointer by Doreena Campbell. Morris, Dixon and Walker each had two baskets during the run. UCSB was held scoreless for over five minutes during the stretch.
With most of the Bruin starters on the bench, the Gauchos went on a 10-0 run to close to within 16 with 3:40 to play and got to within 12, 64-52, with 1:12 to play, but the comeback efforts were too little too late.
UCLA shot 50% in the second half and 43.8% overall, while limiting UCSB to 37.7% from the field in the game. The Bruins won the rebounding battle, 39-32, and were led by Nyingifa's seven.
Bruin freshmen Rhema Gardner and Corinne Costa scored their first collegiate baskets in the game and finished with three and two points, respectively. Gardner added a steal and rebound, and Costa also had three blocks and two boards.
Emilie Johnson led UCSB (0-2) with 14 points and was the only Gaucho in double-figure scoring.
The Bruins will play next on Thursday night at No. 12-ranked Notre Dame. The game will tip-off at 4 p.m. Pacific time and will be broadcast over the internet at und.com.
