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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

NCAA women’s capsules

3 UCLA

Region: Spokane

Coach: Nikki Caldwell

Record: 27-4

Top scorer: Darxia Morris, 12.3

Top rebounder: Jasmine Dixon, 7.2

Keys to victory: The Bruins must cause turnovers with their full-court pressure. UCLA’s pressure caused Stanford, the No. 1 seed in the Spokane Regional, to commit 22 turnovers in the Pac-10 Conference tournament final. UCLA has allowed just 54.5 points per game. The Bruins usually turn those turnovers into early offense. UCLA also emphasizes playing hard for 40 minutes. The Bruins will look to do something they’ve done most of the season – outrebound their opponent. They’ve averaged seven more rebounds than their opponent. “Rebounds win championships, so we have to hit and pursue,” junior forward Jasmine Dixon said.

!4 Montana

Region: Spokane

Coach: Robin Selvig

Record: 18-14

Top scorer: Katie Baker, 11.9

Top rebounder: Baker, 7.4

Keys to victory: The Grizzlies must be patient against UCLA’s full-court, zone pressure and avoid turnovers in bunches. The Bruins will dog the Grizzlies all over the court. Montana split with in-state rival Montana State, which lost 54-44 at UCLA in December. MSU was within six points with 4 minutes remaining. That outcome has the Grizzlies believing they can compete against UCLA. The Grizzlies need to shoot well from 3-point range. Montana’s success has been based on an active 2-3 zone defense. The Grizzlies have allowed just 60.1 points per game – although they haven’t played the caliber of teams UCLA played.