At the request of its players, Corey Close appeared at the Pauley Pavilion five hours before the start of the match. UCLA The women's basketball coach was joined by her assistants and managers for pregame shooting at 6:30 a.m., so there were so many players on the court that practice had to be staggered.
Three days after a disappointing season-opening performance, the Bruins felt they had something to prove in their first game at home. The extra work ahead of Thursday's meeting with UC Santa Barbara reflected their commitment.
“I mean, I’ll never have to coach the work ethic of this team,” Close said. “It's never questioned. And that's why it's really fun to be in this place.”
The biggest satisfaction of the day came later: The third-ranked Bruins looked like an All-Star team at times during their 87-50 rout of the Gauchos, showing glimpses of the firepower they hope to fully unleash by season's end.
Forward Gabriela Jaques posted some of the best long-range shooting of her career, hitting four of her seven 3-pointers en route to 21 points. Point Guard Kiki Rice was a consistent playmaker in her return to the starting lineup, scoring 20 points, grabbing eight rebounds and dishing out three assists. Shooting guard Gianna Knipkens added another dimension to the offense with four more 3-pointers and 20 points.
It was the first time three Bruins players scored 20 or more points since four of them did so against Bellarmine in November 2023.
“I have so many weapons that I think it's hard for defenses to pick and choose what to take,” Knipkens said, “so I think that's really the thing about this team is that on any given night it could be somebody else's night, so it's really hard to scout.”
The challenge for the Bruins (2-0) may be to make the most of all that talent.
Close said Rice sent her an Oklahoma City Thunder press conference in which the team talked about how to build rhythm on offense, best using the players who were “hot” on a given night.
“We’re not quite there yet,” Close said. “We don’t play with a good rhythm… I think we just haven’t quite found that rhythm yet.”
UCLA guard Kiki Rice drives past UC Santa Barbara guard Zoe Shaw on Thursday afternoon.
(Kusong Gong/Associated Press)
Part of that can be attributed to Rice still getting back into shape with a shoulder injury, and fellow point guard Charlissa Leger-Walker (eight points, seven assists, three steals) playing in only her second game back from a long injury layoff.
The Bruins were also without Sienna Betts (calf) and Timea Gardiner (knee) for the second straight game. Close said there is no timetable for Betts' return, although she continues to progress.
But Close said she liked how her players responded after being described as “bad in every way” in their opening 24-point win over San Diego State.
“After that, film 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 standards” – I'm really impressed with their willingness to do that.”
After some sluggish UCLA defense in the first quarter, there was a stretch in the second quarter where the Bruins weren't allowed to simply move the ball out of half court.
Jaquez extended her hand to pass herself before going for a layup during a move in which she was fouled. On Gaucho's next possession, Leger-Walker made another steal, leading to a Rice layup.
Soon, Jaquez and teammate Lauren Betts (12 points, seven rebounds, six assists) used double teams along the sideline to force another turnover.
Closing the half on a 19-2 run, the Bruins took a 51-26 lead. UCLA also benefited from an oddity midway through the second quarter when the Gauchos (1-1) were assessed a technical foul for wearing a jersey number that did not comply with protocol.
For UCLA, the biggest challenge may have been game planning.
Close said she tried her best to convince teams to agree to play the Bruins after their Final Four, calling every school in the state from San Luis Obispo to San Diego. Most of UCLA's marquee non-conference games, starting with Monday's matchup against Oklahoma in Sacramento, will be played at neutral sites.
“They kept saying it was Lauren Betts factor, and I said, “No, it’s the factor you’re afraid of.” Come on,” Close said. “I actually really lose respect for people who aren’t willing to step up and play tough people.”
The Gauchos readily complied, in part because they were Close's alma mater and the place where she coached for nine years.
“Thanks to them for coming to Poly,” Close said, “and for wanting to improve their craft and grow the game.”
The Gauchos, the way things were going, might have gotten a Christmas card too.
By rising early, the Bruins also put an end to any dashed hopes early.
