BRUINS SHOW THEIR STUFF

After ho-hum opener, No. 3 UCLA looks like an All-Star team in rout of Gauchos.

- BY BEN BOLCH

CHARLISSE LEGER-Walker had eight points and seven assists.

(HARRY HOW Getty Images)

At her players' request, Cori Close showed up inside Pauley Pavilion five hours before tipoff. The UCLA women's basketball coach was joined by her assistants and managers for pregame shooting at 6:30 a.m., so many players filling the court that the sessions had to be staggered.

Three days after a lackluster showing in their season opener, the Bruins felt they had something to prove in their first game at home. The additional work before facing UC Santa Barbara on Thursday reflected their commitment.

"I mean, I never have to coach this team's work ethic," Close said. "That is never in question. And so that's a really fun place to be in."

The day's biggest gratification came later, the third-ranked Bruins resembling an All-Star team at times during an 87-50 rout of the Gauchos that showed glimpses of the firepower they hope to fully unleash by season's end.

Forward Gabriela Jaquez revealed one of the best long-range shooting displays of her career, making four of seven three-point-ers on the way to 21 points. Point guard Kiki Rice was a constant playmaker in her [UCLA, from B10] return to the starting lineup while scoring 20 points, grabbing eight rebounds and distributing three assists. Shooting guard Gianna Kneepkens added another dimension to the offense with four more threepointers and 20 points.