University of Washington
UCLA
Huskies Trounce UCLA, 68-48, To Post Sweep In Los Angeles
February 03, 2002 | Women's Basketball
Feb. 3, 2002
LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Junior captain Loree Payne scored 20 points and the Washington women's basketball team won at UCLA for the first time since 1997 as the Huskies trounced the Bruins, 68-48, in front of 922 fans in Pac-10 Conference action at Pauley Pavilion Sunday morning.
Washington, which won its third straight road game, improves to 13-8 overall and 8-4 in the Pac-10. The victory capped a weekend that saw the Huskies post a sweep in Los Angeles for the first time since 1996. UCLA drops to 6-15, 3-10.
Nine Huskies reached double figure scoring in the game, led by Payne's 20 and followed by 12 from Giuliana Mendiola and 10 from Emily Autrey. All of Autrey's points came from the free throw line as the Huskies hit 19 of hit their 21 free throws in the second half to preserve the win.
Payne hit two of her four three pointers in the first four minutes of the game as Washington jumped out to a quick start, leading 19-6 at the 13:17 mark. The Huskies led by as many 20 in the first period, up 28-8, after a Kellie O'Neill layup at 9:15.
In all, Washington hit five three pointers in the first seven minutes of the game. Along with Payne's two, Giuliana Mendiola, Kellie O'Neill and Kristen O'Neill each added one in the run.
UCLA crept back in though with a 14-2 run, fueled by a pair of field goals and four free throws from Krystle Johnson, to cut the deficit to single digits, 31-22, at 1:52. But another three pointer and field goal by Payne bumped it back up and the Huskies took a 14-point lead, 36-22, at the break.
Washington went cold from the field in the start of the second half hitting only free throws until Payne sank a basket at 12:26 to make it 45-30. The Bruins cut it to nine points, 45-36, at 10:05, but Payne hit her fourth three pointer of the game to move Washington's lead back up to 12, 48-36, at 8:51. UCLA got back within nine after another pair of Johnson free throws, but it was all Washington after that as the Huskies sank their free throws and the Bruins managed just two more field goals down the stretch. \
"We talked about how important it was to make a run in February," said UW coach June Daugherty. "This was exactly the outcome we were looking for. We were more physical than we have been. We played at a different level than we have been. We also worked hard to share the basketball. We started hot and responded well when UCLA got close.
Washington returns home to host Arizona Feb.7 and Arizona State Feb. 9. The ASU game features the annual UW Alumni game at 10 a.m. that morning.
