Cori Close knows her team can be better.

While the Bruins have emerged victorious in their first two contests, the team’s head honcho said it has more to offer.

“We’re so excited about what we can become,” Close said. “We just have to be honest that we aren’t there yet.”

With just a day to rest after Sunday’s win, No. 5 UCLA women’s basketball (2-0) will take on Pepperdine (1-1) on Tuesday at Pauley Pavilion. The Bruins have won their last four games against the Waves, with their last loss coming in a 2007 contest in Malibu.

While UCLA’s Sunday 81-63 victory against Colgate was rarely in doubt – the squad didn’t relinquish its lead after the first quarter – it conceded a number of mistakes, racking up 17 turnovers and 22 fouls.

“We’ve got to have a sense of who we are,” Close said. “It’s just a matter of everyone learning how to play to that on a consistent basis. There’s certain mistakes that were being made, and it plays us out of rhythm. You can’t keep playing when you have mental errors.”

Junior center Lauren Betts found plenty of rhythm Sunday, exploding to a career-high 31 points without part of her starting crew against Louisville – junior guard Gabriela Jaquez and graduate student forward Angela Dugalić – as well as the continued absence of All-Pac-12 junior guard Kiki Rice.

Rice and Jaquez are currently sidelined with minor injuries, while Dugalić is representing Serbia in the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers in Europe.

“Just holding the same standard for myself every single game no matter who we’re playing,” Betts said. “That’s kind of what we did today. I thought my teammates did a really good job finding me.”

Betts will face a different challenge against Pepperdine, as the Waves boast 6-foot-6-inch center Megan Harkey – who may be more prepared than shorter opponents to defend the 6-foot-7-inch Betts.

While Rice, Jaquez and Dugalić may not be available Tuesday, Betts will have plenty of help from those who have stepped up in the veteran Bruins’ absences. Amassing 27 combined points on 12-of-18 shooting alongside 10 assists, freshman guard Elina Aarnisalo has stepped into the starting role in Rice’s place, while, in both contests, junior forward Timea Gardiner contributed double-digit scoring efforts and fellow junior forward Janiah Barker grabbed 16 rebounds.

Nevertheless, with only eight players – four of which were freshman – dressed to play against the Raiders, the Bruins will likely have to continue relying on their talented youth against the Waves, a game which comes only two days after Sunday’s contest.

Pepperdine enters the 2024-2025 season on the heels of a 5-25 record – including 1-15 in conference play – last season. With a veteran roster featuring seven seniors and two graduate students, Pepperdine’s squad stands in stark contrast to UCLA’s two graduate students and zero seniors.

The Waves have spread the ball out throughout their first two contests, with no player scoring more than 13 points in either game but five different players managing to reach double digits.

“We just have to go out there, have fun and execute what’s being asked,” Jones said. “It’s going to take time. You get better every single day. That’s what we’re striving for. We have to get better and accomplish that.”