July 27, 2012

2012-13 UCLA Women's Basketball Schedule

LOS ANGELES - The UCLA women's basketball team has put together a challenging schedule for the upcoming 2012-13 season and looks forward to returning home to Pauley Pavilion on Nov. 10 when the Bruins host San Diego State.

In all, the Bruins will play seven different teams that made the NCAA Tournament a year ago and another seven squads that were selected for the NIT field. Additionally, UCLA could face another NCAA and a NIT squad in the St. John's Tournament field.

The $136-million Pauley Pavilion renovation will feature many new amenities that will enhance the fan experience. These include, but are not limited to, a new concourse which incorporates the entire facility and that will feature displays showcasing UCLA's Athletics history, new concessions stands and restrooms, all new seats, a state-of-the-art center-hung scoreboard, and 30-inch LED ribbon boards encircling the interior of the arena. In addition, there will be facilities dedicated to the student-athletes, including new locker rooms, lounges, a video room and a strength and conditioning facility.

"We are excited to be returning home to Pauley Pavilion this season and can't wait for our players and fans to have a first-hand experience in the newly renovated building," UCLA Head Coach Cori Close said. "Playing on campus in the Wooden Center last season allowed our fans to really get close to our team and the gameday experience and we are committed to continuing that sense of excitement and shared experience in Pauley. Our home and nonconference schedule is one that should prepare us well for Pac-12 play and we can't wait for November 10."

After an exhibition game with Westmont on Nov. 5 in the Wooden Center, the Bruins will open the season with four straight NCAA Tournament teams, starting with the Aztecs in the season-opener. Then the Bruins head to Norman, Okla. for a road test at Oklahoma (Nov. 14) and return home to host Notre Dame on Nov. 23. The Fighting Irish lost to Baylor in the 2012 NCAA Championship game. Two days later, the Bruins are back on the hardwood hosting another NCAA Tournament team, Princeton (Nov. 25).

After a non-conference game with a local foe, Loyola Marymount (Dec. 2), the Bruins will travel to Houston's Reliant Stadium with the men's team for a double-header against Texas. The Longhorns also made the NCAA Tournament last year. Then the Bruins travel to New York to compete in their only regular-season tournament, hosted by St. John's on Dec. 15-16. While the tournament pairings have not been announced, UCLA will join the hosts, a NCAA Tournament team a year ago, along with SMU and St. Mary's, which made the NIT in 2012.

The Bruins conclude their nonconference slate by hosting a pair of NIT teams from last year in Cal State Northridge (Dec. 20) and St. Joseph's (Dec. 31). Sandwiched between those two games is a local trip to Pepperdine (Dec. 28), before starting Pac-12 Conference play.

UCLA, which finished tied for fifth in the Pac-12 last season, will open the 2013 league slate on the road at Oregon (Jan. 4) and at Oregon State (Jan. 6). California and Stanford both made the NCAA Tournament field last year while Oregon State, Washington, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah all were selected for the NIT field. The Bruins wrap up the regular season in the Pac-12 Conference Tournament, which will be held in Seattle (Mar. 7-10).

The Bruins will face a guaranteed 18 of 27 regular season games against teams that made the postseason last year and a possibility of 20 of 29 games once the St. John's field is set, this year's schedule will be one of the most daunting in UCLA history.

UCLA returns four starters from last year's team and regains the services of two-year starter, Jasmine Dixon, who missed last year with a ruptured Achilles tendon. Dixon was an Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American after the Bruins' 2010-11 campaign. The Bruins also welcome in a nationally ranked recruiting class (ranked No. 12 by ESPN) for the upcoming 2012-13 season.

To view the full schedule, click here.

Women's basketball season tickets are on sale now at the UCLA Central Ticket Office (310-UCLA-WIN). For more ticket information, or to buy tickets now, click here.