FIRST LOOK

Winner advances to Midwest Regional

at Lubbock, Texas

* Starting lineups: UCLA--Maylana Martin, So., forward; Marie Philman, So., forward; Janae Hubbard, So., center; Erica Gomez, So., guard; Tawana Grimes, Sr., guard. Alabama--LaToya Caudle, Jr., forward; Tausha Mills, Sr., center; Brittney Ezell, Sr., guard; Dominique Canty, Jr., guard; Leah Goss, Sr., guard.

* Key reserves: UCLA--Melanie Pearson, So., forward; Aisha Veasley, Sr., forward; Carly Funicello, So., center; Takiyah Jackson, So., guard. Alabama--Nicole Carruth, Fr., guard; Jaqui Jones, So., forward; Pam Duncan, Sr., guard; Kidada Holtzclaw, Sr., guard.

* UCLA at a glance: The Bruins overcome suspect perimeter shooting with pressure defense that creates fastbreak opportunities. Gomez, the point guard, is a slick ballhandler who elevates the level of her teammates. Maylana Martin, the team leader as well as leading scorer, is a sophomore with valuable international experience on the USA Junior National team. Center Janae Hubbard improved steadily after taking over at center early in the season. Seventh-seeded UCLA has won 15 of 18 and believes it can play at the level of second-seeded Alabama.

* Alabama at a glance: After crushing North Carolina Greensboro, 94-46, in the first round, the Crimson Tide is a clear favorite over UCLA. Canty, a finalist for the Naismith Award, averages 21.8 points, mostly on slashing drives to the basket. Canty scored 25 on 10 of 14 shooting against North Carolina Greensboro. Alabama loves to shoot three-pointers, making 36% of its 521 attempts. Ezell has made 66 of 191 three-point shots and Goss has made 57 of 151. The Crimson Tide has won 17 consecutive at home including 11 this season, the nation’s seventh-longest current streak.