Blue’s Shot Lifts UCLA Women

Nikki Blue made a layup with 1.7 seconds left to give UCLA a 67-66 women’s basketball victory over California on Sunday in front of 2,169 at Pauley Pavilion.

Blue led the Bruins, 9-9 overall and 4-5 in the Pacific 10 Conference, with 19 points. Noelle Quinn had 18 points and Lisa Willis 16. Kiki Williams led Cal (9-9, 2-7) with 24 points. UCLA rallied from a 12-point deficit with 15:58 to play, using a full-court press that led to 14 second-half turnovers.

“We wanted to clear it out for Nikki for the final shot,” UCLA Coach Kathy Olivier said. “It was big that she took it all the way to the basket and did not pull up.”

From Times Wire Services