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  MANDY WHITING Senior center Shalada Allen executes a jump shot from the post over the outstretched arms of BYU opponents earlier this season.

By Jackie Abellada

Daily Bruin Contributor

They do not attract the scores of reporters and photographers that typically congregate around the men’s team.

Their practices are open to the public, but the halls of Pauley Pavilion only echo with the footsteps, dribbles and talk of the players and coaches.

Their home games typically attract some ardent fans and family members, but only enough to fill a small fraction of the seats.

Constantly being overshadowed by their male counterparts, the UCLA women’s basketball team does not usually have the opportunity to bask in the limelight.

But maybe it should.

So far, the team has done pretty well. And the squad has definitely improved from last season, winning half of its first six games. At this point last year, the Bruins were still hungry for a victory.

“They just feel stronger,” head coach Kathy Olivier said. “Anytime you feel more prepared, you’re going to play more confident and you’re going to be a better basketball team. And that’s what we’re kind of doing right now.”

All 12 letterwinners from last year’s squad are returning to compete once again.

The Bruins appear to be reaping the benefits of spending the entire season and summer together.

“We know what everybody can do and everybody’s role,” center Malika Leatham said. “So we definitely play much better together.”

As usual, Michelle Greco is the foundation of the team in terms of point production. Last year’s Pac-10 leading scorer is once again leading the Bruins with 23.6 points per game. Being such a threat offensively, what is often overlooked is Greco’s defensive capabilities. She is leading her team in steals with 2.6 per game and is second in rebounding, averaging five per game.

This year, some of the weight has been removed from Greco’s shoulders as more and more of her teammates are chipping in. Junior guard Jalina Bradley and sophomore guard Gennifer Arranaga, who comes off the bench, have provided some offensive spark with their outside shooting. Senior center Shalada Allen and sophomore forward Jamila Veasley have helped the team in rebounding and post scoring.

“I think this year we have more weapons – we have an inside game and we have a perimeter game,” Greco said. “And, I feel like we can distribute the ball a lot more.”

The Bruins’ defense has been a nuisance to their opponents. Led by the persistent pressure of Natalie Nakase, the starting guard, the Bruins have been able to not only force their opponents to commit turnovers but also stop them dead in their tracks. Nakase also has done a tremendous job at point, leading the team in assists with 4.66 per game.

Malika Leatham has made a name for herself defensively and offensively. Plagued by foul trouble, her numbers last year were deceptive of what she can really do on the court. This year, she has been able to position herself correctly to take some hard charges and stay on the court. As a result, she has shown her muscle, leading the team in rebounds with 7.8 per game and is second in scoring with 11.3 points per game.

The team awaits the return of sophomore Whitney Jones and junior Kristee Porter, who are both multi-sport athletes. Jones, a member of the soccer squad, adds the combination of quickness, strength and an outside game. Porter, a volleyball and track and field star, adds height and hops in the forward position.

Though she is delighted to have two athletes of their caliber back in the team, Olivier is even happier with the way her team has performed without them.

“Last year, we did not play as well without them, and they came in and provided a big boost. I think this year we are playing better basketball. We have people stepping it up in different positions. So when Kristee and Whitney come back, it’s going to make us that much better.”

The freshman trio of Sissy Pickett, Krystle Johnson, and Brianna Winn add much needed size and body to the squad – two elements that were in short supply last season. Although all three have only seen limited action, Olivier believes that they are definitely improving and it will only be a matter of time that they get into the groove of things.

Hopefully, in the next couple of weeks, the Bruins get into the rhythm of playing both at home and on the road – something they need to learn come Dec. 20 when they face Oregon for their first Pac-10 game of the season. And, like every year, the Pac-10 schedule will not be easy for these women.

But, by that time, the team hopes to show the collegiate world that they too deserve the spotlight.

“You’ve just got to come and watch us,” Leatham added.