The forecast for the rest of the Pac-10 suddenly looks much more bleak.
Cal’s 64-48 win against UCLA at Haas Pavilion Thursday not only equaled the best conference start in school history (8-0 in the Pac-10), but it provided a glimpse at how dangerous the Bears can be as Devanei Hampton returns to full strength.
Devanei Hampton recorded her first double-double of the season, notching 11 points
to go along with 12 boards, in a game where Cal faced the No. 4 ranked
rebounding team in the country.
“We've been waiting and she's been kind of waiting,” Bears coach Joanne
Boyle said of Hampton. “I told her, ‘You're ready for this. Don't wait
anymore. Go and take it.’”
Hampton’s work under the glass was undoubtedly a welcome reprieve for a
team that has struggled to beat teams on the boards as of late.
In the Bears’ latest road trip against Oregon and Oregon State, Cal recorded
a rebounding margin of just +3, contributing to two lackluster conference
wins. But with the help of what looks to be a healthier Hampton, the Bears
dominated UCLA on the glass to the tune of a 36-26 rebounding advantage.
Hampton’s show inside the paint was overshadowed only by the return of
fellow post presence Rama N’Diaye.
N’Diaye saw the floor for the first time since suffering a torn ACL
against George Washington in the second round of last season’s NCAA
tournament and, while she played just three minutes, managed to pull down
two rebounds of her own.
While it is clear the N’Diaye is still quite a ways away from being in
full-time playing condition, her return--coupled with the standout
performance from Hampton--is finally providing a look at what Cal can
potentially be once at full strength.
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