Women’s basketball: UCLA advances in NCAA tournament with 55-47 victory over Montana
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Third-seeded UCLA advanced to the second round of the NCAA women’s basketball tournament with a 55-47 victory over 14th-seeded Montana on Saturday at the McCarthey Athletic Center at Spokane, Wash.
Jasmine Dixon scored 15 points and Doreena Campbell and Rebekah Gardner each added 11 for UCLA, which improved its record to 28-4. The Bruins will play Gonzaga, a 92-86 winner Saturday over Iowa, on Monday.
UCLA used full-court pressure and a matchup zone to force 12 turnovers en route to a 26-17 halftime lead. The Bruins extended the lead to 14 points before Montana came back and pulled to within 51-45 on a three-pointer by Sara Ena with just under two minutes remaining.
Montana cut the deficit to four after Stephanie Stender made two free throws with 1:16 left.
But Dixon answered for UCLA after making a strong inside move. Dixon then stole a pass, was fouled and made one of two free throws to give the Bruins a margin that was not again threatened.
Forward Alyssa Smith scored 14 points to lead Montana, which finished 18-15.
More later at latimes.com/sports.
--Gary Klein, reporting from Spokane, Wash.