I've just returned from the Wooden Center, where Rebekah Gardner and Markel Walker powered the Bruins past Oregon State 69 - 60. Gardner barely missed a double-double with 19 points, 8 rebounds, and four steals, and Walker recorded a career-high 18 boards, while also adding 16 points. The game was really a story of two halves; in the first half, there were several lead changes and ties, almost ending on a 11-1 OSU run when a quick two baskets broke the tie and ended the half with a four point UCLA lead, 35 - 31. From that point on, OSU couldn't catch up, and we had a comfortable (8pt+) lead for most of the second half.

That said, a not-so-insignificant portion of this win has to be attributed to the below-average shooting on OSU's part. The box score says they shot 35.5% on the game, but it was worse than that-- there were several designed wide-open threes that clanked off the rim (or worse). Against a team that can knock those shots down, we'd have been in trouble. Now, it's unclear whether we left their shooter wide open because she was missing wide-open threes, or if they were just continuing to get their shooter wide open despite our trying to defend her, but had those shots dropped, we'd have had a different game and we can't realistically expect every team we play to shoot less than 40% from the field.

Despite that, we can't overlook the endurance test that this season is shaping up to be; four Bruins logged 30+ minutes, and only seven played-- that's at least three starters on the floor at any given time. With a bench nearly decimated by injury, we should get used to this seven-player rotation; it's here to stay this season. With that, on to the pictures! (As usual, click for big/more info, full gallery link below each picture)

From 20120119WBB vs. OSU

Markel Walker led the team in boards with a career-high 18, and added 16 points.

More after the jump!

From 20120119WBB vs. OSU

Rebekah Gardner continues her high-scoring season with 19 points.

From 20120119WBB vs. OSU

Thea Lemberger has very quickly become irreplaceable-- last year, she averaged 0.6 points on 7.7 mins per game; this year, that's become an average of 11.8 pts on 33 mins (second only in minutes to Rebekah Gardner, and only barely at that)

From 20120119WBB vs. OSU

From 20120119WBB vs. OSU

From 20120119WBB vs. OSU

From 20120119WBB vs. OSU

Stuffed.

From 20120119WBB vs. OSU

Hope to see you all Saturday when the Bruins close out their home stand against Oregon, at 1pm at the Wooden Center!