UCLA looks to end losing streak against Cincinnati by focusing on defense
UCLA women’s basketball looks for its first win of the season against Cincinnati, which hasn’t won since Nov. 15. UCLA has been focusing on upping its defensive intensity after giving up a 16-point lead in a loss to Nebraska last Friday. (Max Himmelrich/Daily Bruin)
By Conor Cusack
Dec. 2, 2014 12:00 a.m.
The search for its first win of the season continues for the UCLA women’s basketball team Tuesday when it takes on the University of Cincinnati at Pauley Pavilion at 7 p.m.
The Bruins (0-4) are coming off a frustrating loss against Nebraska. After leading for the first 35 minutes UCLA squandered its lead, which peaked at 16 points with four minutes remaining in the first half.
“We played about 33 minutes of intense defense against Nebraska,” said coach Cori Close. “We’ve got to learn from that and build on the momentum that we created off our defense and learn how to sustain that.”
Defense and rebounding have been a big point of emphasis since Friday’s game according to freshman guard Jordin Canada, who said that the team did a great job at pressuring the ball against Nebraska.
Cincinnati (1-4), whose last win came on Nov. 15, is looking to end a four-game losing streak as well. According to Close, the Bruins have been focusing on matching the Bearcats’ offense with solid defensive play.
“Cincy uses a ton of ball screens. Their point guard does a great job of getting into the lane and they run a ton of different hits and sets,” Close said. “We need to do a great job playing 40 minutes of intense defense – that’s the most important thing.”
On offense, redshirt sophomore Kari Korver highlighted the importance of getting the ball down low, explaining that the team has been working on post-ups since Friday’s defeat.
“We took a lot of jump shots and we made some but that’s not gonna win us the game,” Korver said.
Moving the ball inside will create easier shot opportunities, Close said. To do that, Close said the Bruins have to use their size and capitalize on the ability of their forwards to get key, deep post-touches.
“We have a lot of depth in our forward spot and we need to have some forwards step up and learn how to seal and post and get us some easier shot opportunities,” Close said.
The capacity to rebound from the collapse against Nebraska will be a test of mental toughness for the Bruins.
“I’m starting to learn how to move on and focus on the next team and what we have to do to prepare,” Canada said.
Being prepared, the freshman said, is about knowing her job as a point guard: creating opportunities on offense and “setting that tone, being aggressive” on defense.
Tuesday night’s game is a prime chance for the Bruins to capture their first win, but for that to happen, their defense will have to be sharp from start to finish.
