Bruin Bites - Twas the Week of Finals Edition

Happy Monday everyone. I hope you enjoyed the program defining win over the weekend against Prairie View A&M in an otherwise quiet week of UCLA sports. Our athletes were taking finals and partaking in studious endeavors... such as Undie Run in the rain.

Here's your UCLA universe round up for the past week:

• The #14 UCLA Women's Basketball team picked up a win in overtime on Sunday against St. Johns in New York, 53-52, courtesy of a Jasmine Dixon lay-in. Alyssia Brewer had 14 points and 15 rebounds and was also named the MVP of the tournament. The game started out looking like a blowout, with UCLA building a 22-6 lead in the first half, but the Red Storm, uh... stormed back and eventually took the lead with 12:58 to go. The Lady Bruins even took a page from their male counterparts playbook, going bucketless for nearly 8 minutes, but in the end, UCLA prevails in NYC.
  
• On Saturday, the Lady Bruins defeated St. Mary's with less drama, winning 76-62. Jasmine Dixon scored 13, with 5 pivotal points leading to a Bruin run in the second half, pushing the Bruins into the lead for good. Markel Walker had 15 points and 12 rebounds, and Alyssia Brewer had 12 and 10.
• Freshman defender Javan Torre has been called into the Under-20 National team camp for soccer. Torre has been called up to the national team before, having played on the U-18 team in 2011. The training camp started yesterday and will run through the 22nd in Florida.
  
• David Geffen is giving money to UCLA again. He has upped the ante on his previous contribution to the Medical School with a $100 million donation and establishing the David Geffen Medical Scholarship Fund. The scholarship fund will aid top medical students, helping them to graduate debt free and allow them to not worry about paying back their student loans. Geffen is now the largest single donor to any UC campus, having donated $300 million to UCLA.
• While UCLA won't be playing for the Roses, two UCLA nurses will be riding in the Rose Parade. Priscilla "Patti" Taylor will ride on a float sponsored by nurse.com after winning a 2010 National Nurse of the Year Award in community service. Cathy Rodgers Ward won a 2011 National Nurse of the Year Award in the management category.
  

Enjoy this last week before the holidays kick into full gear. Your shopping days are dwindling. Don't worry, I think some stores are staying open 24 hours a day this weekend for you procrastinators!

GO BRUINS.