<p><div class=fcenter><div align=center><strong><font color=blue>W. BASKETBALL</font></strong><hr><font size=1>Today, 7 p.m.<br>v. Cal State Fullerton<br>Fullerton</font></div></div>Coming off a disappointing sixth-place finish in the Rainbow Wahine Classic in Hawaii last weekend, the Bruins will look to regain their momentum tonight against Cal State Fullerton (2-5).
<br/>On the defensive side of the ball, the Bruins (3-4) have been focusing on improving their on-ball pressure for tonight, in order to create offensive opportunities.
<br/>?Going into Fullerton, it?s going to be a tough game,? guard Tierra Henderson said. ?If our defense is on point, we?ll probably win the game.?
<br/>Coach Kathy Olivier stressed the fact that the Bruins rely on being disruptive on defense but also need to take care of the ball.
<br/>UCLA has lost the turnover margin in six of its seven games.
<br/>?I feel like we give up too many easy baskets,? Olivier said. ?Our help is there, but it?s not there consistently. I think because we?re so young, that?s why I don?t see as much consistency as what we?d like.?
<br/>However, the Bruins have been consistent in one category: having one individual step up to take control of games. Friday night it was Chinyere Ibekwe, with 21 points and 11 rebounds. Saturday it was Lindsey Pluimer, with a career-high 27 points, and Sunday it was Noelle Quinn, with 16 points and nine assists.
<br/>The Bruins lost two of those three games, and Olivier is looking for a more complete effort by the entire team instead of only single players.
<br/>?We (have) got to stay focused for the whole game ? not just a half, not just 30 minutes ? and feel good about how we competed for 40 minutes,? Olivier said. ?When you?re taking a mental break, you?re out. It?s a matter of commitment.?
<br/>Olivier will look to pull starters sooner than usual and get players off the bench earlier in the game.
<br/>?Because I don?t have a great sixth or seventh (player off the bench), I?m maybe keeping (the starters) in longer than I should,? Olivier said.
<br/>For sophomore guard Tierra Henderson, tonight?s game will carry a more personal significance. Henderson played with Titan guard Audrey Taylor on a summer-league team this past year and knows her style of play.
<br/>?I kind of know her game ... really well,? Henderson said. ?She likes to hit the 12-foot jumpers, so I want to try to contain her and try to make her drive into the help. We?re really good friends so I don?t want to say it?s a rivalry. But when you get on the court they become your enemies.?
<br/>Henderson has become a defensive leader for the Bruins, leading the team with 24 steals.
<br/>?I look at my person and how much they average and then think of a number (that) I could hold them to,? Henderson said. ?I don?t want them to get over their average.?
<br/>For Fullerton, a win over the Bruins would be the highlight of the season.
<br/>?People want to go after the Bruins,? Olivier said. ?Especially against Fullerton, because we can make their season. This would be a huge game for them.?</p><br><br><a href='; target='_blank'>;