Nov. 16, 2008

Box Score

LOS ANGELES, CA - Cal State Fullerton senior Toni Thomas scored a team-high 12 points and led three teammates in double figures, but a big second half by host UCLA enabled the Bruins to pull away for a 78-62 victory on Sunday afternoon at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles, Calif.

The Titans fell to 1-1 overall on the year while UCLA won its season opener in moving to 1-0 overall.

All 12 of Thomas' points came in the first half after she picked up her fourth foul of the game just one minute into the second half and fouling out with just under five minutes to play.

Sophomore Lauren Chow and junior Jasmine Scott finished with 11 points apiece while sophomore Ashley Richie added 10 points in a loss that saw Fullerton shoot just over 41 percent from the field - including a 54 percent clip in the first half.

Free throws and rebounding were the difference in the game as the Bruins went to the line 33 times in the game compared to only nine for the Titans while UCLA dominated in the boards, posting a 54-21 rebounding advantage - including a 25-7 lead on the offensive end.

Leading by one point at the break thanks to a flurry at the end of the first half, the Bruins opened the second period with a 15-4 run to break open the close contest.

Fullerton didn't fade away quietly, however, battling back from a 13-point deficit to close to within six points at 56-50 with just over nine minutes left to play. UCLA closed strong, using a 14-4 run from that point to build a 17-point advantage and the Bruins never looked back.

UCLA scored the first basket of the game, but the Titans came out running as back-to-back three-pointers by Chow and Richie gave them the early lead. Fullerton led by as many as nine points in the opening period during its 13-4 run to open the game and held on to the advantage for almost the entire half.

The Bruins clawed their way back in it, as a 9-0 run over a three-minute span brought them to within a point at 28-27, and a three-pointer by Rebekah Gardner later in the half tied the game with 1:29 remaining. A pair of free throws by Allison Taka 30 seconds later gave UCLA its first lead since its first basket.

A turnaround by Scott in the lane drew the Titans even once again, but a free throw by Brown with 30 seconds left gave the Bruins the one-point lead at the break, 35-34.

Moniquee Alexander led UCLA with 12 points on 5-of-8 shooting to go with seven rebounds. Tierra Henderson was the only other Bruin in double figures, finishing with 10 points, while Chinyere Ibekwe led all players with 14 rebounds.

The trio led a balanced scoring attack for UCLA that saw all 11 players who entered the game score at least three points.

Cal State Fullerton looks to rebound next weekend as the Titans return home on Friday (Nov. 21) as they play host to Saint Mary's at Titan Gym. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.