How UCLA and Montana match up in NCAA women’s tournament first-round game

A look at the UCLA women’s basketball team’s first-round NCAA tournament game against Montana on Saturday:

Montana; Ht.; Stats; P; UCLA; Ht; Stats

Alyssa Smith; 6-0; 4.4 ppg; F; Jasmine Dixon; 6-0; 11.8 ppg

Sarah Ena; 5-11; 8.9 ppg; F; Markel Walker; 6-1; 8.5 ppg

Jessa Loman Linford; 6-1; 5.7 ppg; F; Atonye Nyingifa; 5-11; 9.0 ppg

Kenzie DeBoer; 6-5; 8.1 ppg; G; Darxia Morris; 5-8; 12.3 ppg

Stephanie Stender; 5-11; 7.8 ppg; G; Doreena Campbell; 5-10; 9.2 ppg

RESERVES

Katie Baker; 6-0; 11.9 ppg ;F ; Nine Earl;6-1; 2.6 ppg

Torry Hill; 5-7; 6.5 ppg; G ; Rebekah Gardner ;6-1; 7.6 ppg

SCOUTING REPORT: UCLA will attempt to harass the Grizzlies into turnovers with full-court pressure and a matchup zone defense. The Bruins are not as big as Montana, but quickness has been UCLA’s calling card all season. Still, UCLA needs forwards Jasmine Dixon and Markel Walker to be effective. Montana will try to slow the pace and take advantage of its height. The Grizzlies are looking to continue the momentum that carried them to the Big Sky Conference tournament title.

KEY TO THE GAME: For UCLA, guards Doreena Campbell and Darxia Morris will try to force Montana into mistakes and create transition offense. Montana must take care of the ball and needs leading scorer Katie Baker to continue supplying a surge off the bench.

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